MetroBank’s Bags of Blessing Project used the DSWD’s Listahanan database in the selection of 500 recipients of the 1,000 worth of groceries, from Palo, Leyte. MetroBank entered into a partnership with the DSWD, as the former relied on the latter on whom to really give.

Director Marita Pimentel, DSWD Field Offices Manager, represented Secretary Judy Taguiwalo in the gift – giving event that was meant to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

“Thank you for sharing your blessings,” DSWD Regional Director, Restitutto Macuto, told MetroBank headed by its Area V (Leyte-Samar) Head, Federico Mariano.

The DSWD Field Office VIII tapped the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Leyte Provincial Office under Provincial Link, Paula B. Unay, in identifying recipients from five poorest communities of the municipality. Said Unay, those selected were non – Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who were equally poor.

Meanwhile, Policy and Plans Division Chief, Yvonne Abonales, cited the DSWD Listahanan as a reliant and credible targeting system that identifies who and where the poor and non – poor are. “It has faces,” she emphasized.

Abonales added that LISTAHANAN is now on its second round of assessment, which assessment is done every after four years. With a total of 718, 492 households assessed, there are a total of 330, 945 poor households identified in the region.

Agencies like the PHILHEALTH have been using the LISTAHANAN database in selecting beneficiaries for its social protection programs and services, it was learned. Government and non – government agencies alike which intend to use the database can write the DSWD such that a formal agreement will be made.

Also on hand to witness the event held January 28, 2017,  at the MetroBank Palo Branc,   was O.I.C.-Assistant Regional Director for Administration – Marlene Kahano.##DSWDMayMalasakit