Tacloban City- “Although we take the lead, we cannot do it alone.” Regional Director Remia Tapispisan of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) stated during the Regional Inter-Agency Partnership Forum of the Sustainable Livelihood Program at the Leyte Park Hotel today, May 17, 2013.

Director Tapispisan expressed gratitude to the participants in taking time to grace the said event.  “Sama-sama po nating pagtulungan itawid sa kaunlaran ang mga nangangailangan ng ating serbisyo,” (Let us altogether help those who need our services cross over progress) she added. One of the highlights of this event is the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the DSWD and five other agencies namely:  Center for Improvement and Resource Development Incorporated (CERD), Metro Ormoc Community Cooperative (formerly known as OCCCI) Central Ormoc, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Samar Chamber of Commerce Incorporated (SCCI)

The said partnership aims to contribute to poverty alleviation through empowering the disadvantaged and improve their quality of life. The MOU serves as an agreement to sustain the government intervention for the Conditional Cash Transfer beneficiaries towards poverty alleviation.

Tapispisan reiterated that it is through the essence of convergence that the vulnerable and disadvantaged ones can be lifted from poverty. She also added that the Department just signed an MOU with the Department of Trade and Industry last May, 14, 2013.