Tacloban City — The DSWD Field Office Eight has new partners in its drive to reduce poverty through its social protection programs. The partnership was formalized during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement witnessed by members of the media and DSWD staff.

The partnership with the Philippine Associated Smelting and Refinery (PASAR) Foundation Inc., DYAJ Power FM, and Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippine (PYAP) Basey, Samar Chapter boosts the Department’s social protection efforts namely, KALAHI-CIDSS, Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program, and Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran and other programs of the department.

Director Leticia Corillo of the DSWD Field Office Eight highlighted the potential role of the partners in the fight against poverty. The Director also added that the new partners can, with their resources and expertise, reinforce the advocacy of the department, and importantly, help poor communities in the Region.

PASAR Foundation Inc., will among other stipulations in the Memorandum of Agreement, witness the conduct of the Municipal Inter-Barangay Forum and when resources permit, provide additional funding as part of the local counterpart contribution or provide funding support for distinct sub-projects that promote the objectives of the Foundation directed towards youth development.

The DYAJ Power FM based in Ormoc City can help expand the reach of the DSWD’S advocacy efforts in Northern Leyte, Samar, Biliran, and Northern Cebu towns by regularly airing the latest news in the convergence efforts of the DSWD during its News and Public Affairs Program aired Monday to Friday.

Likewise, the Basey Chapter of the PYAP will mobilize its members, composed largely of out-of-school youths to do a KALAHI-CIDSS-themed theater arts performance in a targeted KALAHI-CIDSS municipality, and participate in the DSWD’s advocacy efforts geared towards the youth in the different barangays of KALAHI-CIDSS municipalities where the DSWD programs are also implemented.

The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement was held June 22, 2011 at Sea Haus, Tacloban City.