Pantawid Pamilya Parent-leader, Lilia Advincula, of Barangay 39 in Tacloban City is all substance and humor as she impresses the audience, particularly DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano Soliman, in the one – day Civil Society Organization (CSO) – Led Fora entitled, “The Voice of the People,” held Monday, February 23, 2015 at the Tacloban Convention Center. The middle – aged woman tells some close to 1, 500 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries of Tacloban and the nearby municipality of Tanauan the successes of her family’s life brought about by the conditional cash transfer program. Her story was long and inspiring as she poured out a deep sense of gratitude to the DSWD, local government unit, and other partner – agencies, ending her speech with a striking line – “You bring out all the best in me !” Three other parent – leaders delivered their positive stories of change as a result of the implementation and delivery of the Department’s core social protection programs. DSWD Secretary Soliman says 2015 is a challenging year for the Department with some issues still raised by many as to the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilya. Hence, she sees stronger partnerships with civil society organizations which will help the DSWD in responding to those issues, as well as more avenues for program beneficiaries to be heard about the impact that Pantawid Pamilya and other core protection programs bring to their lives. #