In preparation for the full – blast implementation of the Department’s Convergence Strategy Program, a series of orientations are being undertaken this July, and on towards August, for workers and employees who are about to be involved in this endeavour.

“We want convergence to really work in these poor communities – the Set 1 and Set 2 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program areas; that’s why we need to have a better coordination from among us. Of course, their dedication and commitment to service are vital, because the government is really serious at getting into the bottomline why poverty exists,” DSWD Field Office Eight Director Leticia Corillo said.

Social workers, focal persons, and newly-hired workers, as well as leaders of the Field Office’s so-called Social Welfare Action and Development Team (SWADT), are currently attending a five-day orientation and workshop at the Sabin Resort in Ormoc City. It reeled on last Monday, July 4, and ends Friday, July 8.

Focal person Ofelia Pagay reported that after such activity, the participants are expected to take responsibility in orienting and organizing the Municipal/City Convergence Committee in their own localities. “There is a big task ahead,” she pointed out.

The line-up of orientations are set on July 19 to August 4, and July 29 to September 20, as well. These are for the municipalities of Palapag, Catubig, Mondragon, Pambujan, and San Roque – all in Northern Samar.

For Samar, the recipient – towns are Basey, Pinabacdao, Paranas, Daram, Tarangnan, Gandara, Tagapul-an, Pagsanghan, Calbiga, and Calbayog City.

The Convergence Strategy Program sets as area for improvement of the Department’s three core social protection programs – the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services: Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay, and the Self-Employment Assistance – Kaunlaran Program.

The above programs will be harmonized, and the processes in the implementation will also be aligned, so as to reduce duplication of efforts, strategies, and activities, and that resources will be maximized.