In the culmination of the National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty last Wednesday, October 23, 2013, Tacloban City Councilor Dalisay Erpe exhorted close to one hundred beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) to take advantage of government programs, especially that which would help lift them out of poverty. She specifically pointed that of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), citing the Pantawid Pamilya as a good poverty alleviation strategy which invests on human capital, particularly on the health and education of children aged 0-14 years old, through a conditional cash transfer scheme.

The newly – elected city official told the community folks who come from nearby barangays of Tacloban City never to lose hope but to struggle hard and enjoy whatever opportunities the government offers. Erpe told them that being a Pantawid Pamilya grantee is a “ blessing. “

On the other hand, DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Administration Virginia Idano, emphasized in her speech that poverty is a global phenomenon. Hence, she added, there is a need for all sectors of society to stand united in the fight against poverty !

Idano, who represented DSWD Regional Director Remia Tapispisan in the program held at the Family Park in Tacloban City, thanked the City Government under Mayor Alfred Romualdez and the Lions Club of Tacloban headed by president Alfredo “Junjun” Cua for lending support to the activity. She said that the DSWD organized a half-day event to increase public awareness on the need to come together to build closer partnerships and hear from the people living in deep poverty themselves their experiences of battling with their day-to-day living.

 Before the program, there was a walk around the city, with beneficiaries holding anti – poverty slogans. Said slogans were entries to a competition, with cash prizes at stake.

Winning first prize of Php2,500.00 was Reche Ann Gravoso; second prize of Php2,000.00, Michelle Eslira; and third prize of Php 1, 500.00 was won by Yolly Caones. There were consolation Prizes of Php 666.00 each, for the three other participants, namely : Lilia Advincula of Barangay 39, Julieta Abella of Barangay 48-B, and Sarah de la Pena of Barangay 37.