The data from the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) is now accessible to 60 local government units in Eastern Visayas. This was made possible soon after the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for data sharing was signed between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Juliano-Soliman and the Local Chief Executives of the LGUs.

The NHTS-PR data provides information on identified households who are classified as poor. The LGUs with NHTS-PR MOA with DSWD can look into the list of households below the poverty threshold by region, province, city or municipality and barangay from the NHTS-PR database.

The municipalities of Almeria, Kawayan, Maripipi and Naval in Biliran; Arteche, Hernani, Llorente, Maydulong, Mercedes, Oras, San Julian and the provincial government of Eastern Samar; Alang-alang, Capoocan, Carigara, Javier, Julita, La Paz, Leyte, Mayorga, Palo, Palompon, San Isidro, Tabango , Tabon-tabon and Tunga in Leyte; Biri, Bobon, Capul, Catarman, Lavezares, Lope de Vega, Mondragon, Rosario, San Antonio, San Isidro, San Jose, Gamay, Las Navas, Palapag, Pambujan and San Roque in Northern Samar; Almagro, Sta. Margarita, Tagapul-an, Hinabangan, Marabut, Paranas, Pinabacdao and Zumarraga in Samar; Anahawan, Libagon, Limasawa, Macrohon, Padre Burgos, Pintuyan, San Francisco, San Juan, Silago and Tomas Oppus in Southern Leyte can now request data from the National Household Targeting Office in Manila through written request.

According to Roselle Almayda, NHTS-PR Focal Person, the NHTS-PR data can facilitate the effective implementation of the different municipalities’ social protection initiatives because the data will allow the identification of households who genuinely need the services and assistance from the government.

According to Yvonne Abonales, Chief of Policy and Plans Division of DSWD Field Office VIII, the local mayor can sign an agreement with the DSWD without a Sangguniang Bayan Resolution since the LGUs will not spend any amount to get access to the NHTS-PR data.

The NHTU VIII is encouraging all the LGUs in Eastern Visayas to submit the NHTS-PR MOA and subsequently, make use of the information made available through the database.