It’s a big day tomorrow, September 9, for the poor folks of Llorente and its neighboring municipalities, as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Eight embarks the first leg of the TATSULO caravan in said town.

Congressman Ben Evardone, lone congressional district representative of Eastern Samar province, will take the lead in witnessing this whole day happening that is meant to showcase the gains of two of the Department’s three core protection programs – the PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM (PANTAWID PAMILYA), and the SELF-EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE KAUNLARAN (SEA-K) Program.

Llorente is on the list of areas for implementation of the DSWD ‘s KAPIT-BISIG LABAN SA KAHIRAPAN – COMPREHENSIVE AND INTEGRATED DELIVERY OF SOCIAL SERVICES next year. While the PANTAWID PAMILYA speaks of giving cash grants for the health/nutrition/education of zero to 14 year old children of extremely poor families, and SEA-K, provision of non-collateral and interest – free capital assistance to the poor and disadvantaged sectors, the KALAHI-CIDSS talks of empowering communities through their enhanced participation in community projects that reduce poverty.

In the gathering that expects a crowd of 300 beneficiaries and local leaders, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman could not come but will be represented by Undersecretary for General Administration and Support Services, Mateo Montaño, as she is on the go, campaigning for the “children’s budget” by way of the conditional cash transfer program or PANTAWID PAMILYA. In her rounds of the region, the Secretary has emphasized that the program is not a dole-out; neither does it promote mendicancy.

She said there are many good stories of hope from among the beneficiaries. “Let them speak,” the top official pointed out. Soliman stated that with the convergence of the three core protection programs of the Department, life would even be far better for them, as it will bring a more positive impact on their beings.

DSWD Field Office Eight Director Leticia Diokno, meanwhile, announced that what would be the highlight of the day is when voices of beneficiaries of the three programs starts to be heard. “The event is expected to be filled with drama as beneficiaries will be given the chance to speak . . . of how said government undertakings have touched their lives, “ Diokno revealed.

There will be a dialogue with the beneficiaries, not only with the DSWD but with its partners of the PANTAWID PAMILYA, like the Department of Health and the Department of Education.

The caravan will include a SEA-K Products Fair, and Services Booths, to be participated in by AVON, Leyte Dental Society, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, among others. It would be a “reaching out” to the poor folks so that they will not be behind in development.

The DSWD Field Office Eight has produced partners from private entities and civil society organizations who will help the agency speed up its poverty reduction efforts in the region.