The Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT) and Biliran Province State University (BiPSU), entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD Field Office VIII) to manifest its full support to the agency’s social protection programs and services through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Together with the DSWD OIC Regional Director Grace Subong were the Pantawid Pamilya Division Chief Paula Unay, PIT President Norberto Olavides, and BiPSU President Victor Cañezo, Jr. who finalized the agreement in the said ceremony held on May 5, 2021, at the Balay Alumni of Palompon Institute of Technology, Palompon, Leyte.
Under the agreement, both parties shall establish a partnership to share expertise, skills, and knowledge for the benefit of the disadvantaged individuals, groups, and families in DSWD Centers/institutions, community-based programs, projects, and services.
Through their community extension services, these academic institutions vowed to uphold their roles in the areas of partnership such as Bantay, Kaagapay, Tulay, and Gabay that shall complement the implementation of the Kilos Unlad Social Case Management Framework of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in the provinces of Leyte and Biliran.
Dr. Olavides revealed that their partnership activities will revolve around Bantay, Tulay, and Gabay and will center on the area of “Kaagapay” specifically on livelihood generation programs and skills training. Dr. Eutiquio Pernis the PIT-Tabango Campus Director shared that they will focus on community-based tilapia farming, financial literacy, and food processing through their extension projects and services.
On the other hand, Dr. Cañezo welcomed the partnership as it envisions being a state university leading in research and innovation for human empowerment and societal development. He said that the engagement with DSWD will give the university an expanded venue for the implementation of its ICESP or Integrated Community Extended Services Program. He also expressed his commitment to personally look into the implementation of this engagement.
Meanwhile, OIC Regional Director Subong thanked the said SUCs for opening new opportunities that will help in sustaining the self-sufficiency level of the Pantawid Pamilya household beneficiaries. She said that the MOA signing is a testament that as an agency and as leading academic institutions, something was done to help the vulnerable become economically productive, socially responsible citizens, and have dignified lives.
The ceremony was hosted by the Palompon Institute of Technology and attended by its key officials, coordinators, and unit heads that were provided with a brief orientation on the RA 11310 or The Act Institutionalizing the 4Ps.
4Ps is a poverty reduction strategy of the national government with DSWD as the lead agency. Household beneficiaries are entitled to receive cash subsidies provided that the conditions on health, nutrition, and education are followed. This will foster necessary behavior for parents to adequately perform the duties and responsibilities, particularly in investing in their children’s future.
