TINGNAN: Sari-saring gulay ang nakatanim sa paligid ng Regional Resource Operation Center sa Brgy. Pawing, Palo, Leyte. Ito ay bahagi ng inilunsad na gulayan noong Mayo 15, 2022 na magsisilbing mapagkukunan ng mga preskong gulay para sa mga mangagagawa ng RROC at mga volunteers tuwing disaster operation. Kalaunan, pwede rin itong maibigay bilang relief goods sa mga pinakaapektadong pamilya ng sakuna. Sa kasalukuyan nakapagtanim na ng iba’t ibang uri ng gulay tulad ng okra, pipino, talong, pechay, sitaw, kalabasa at ampalaya. Idagdag pa dito and iba’t ibang uri ng prutas gaya ng saging, langka, bayabas at caimito. #DSWDMayMalasakit #NDRM2022

Fifteen Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) finished Senior High School (SHS) at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY) in Tanauan, Leyte on Sunday. The class valedictorian encouraged his fellow SHS graduates, “Umahon tayo at hubugin ang saril ng magagandang asal at kaalaman. Pagkakataon nating patunayan na ang inaakala nilang salot sa lipunan ay pagasa pa la ng ating bayan at hindi dumi ng pamayanan.” The first in-the-country formal Junior and Senior High School for CICL has opened inside the rehabilitation facility thanks to a tripartite agreement signed on July 23, 2020 between the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 8 (DSWD FO8), the Department of Education Leyte Division (DepEd Leyte Division), and the Local Government Unit of Tanauan. By virtue of the agreement, the Tanauan School of Arts and Trade (TSAT) headed by the Dr. Dorcas Mejia opened the formal school in RRCY and conducted special classes for the residents inside the rehabilitation facility. Meanwhile, 19 CICL completed Junior High School and will be promoted to SHS next school year. One of the highlights was the ceremonial turnover to Eastern Visayas State University Tanauan Campus to ensure the graduates can pursue college education. In her closing speech, RRCY Head Ms. Georgina Bulasa thank all partner government agencies, DSWD officials and staff, Tanauan LGU and stakeholders for making the in-Center formal education “A Dream Come True”. The activity was attended by DSWD FO8 officials and staff headed by Regional Director Grace Subong; Former DSWD FO8 Assistant Regional Director and RRCY Head Marcela Lim; Regional Juvenile Justive and Welfare Council Head Agnes Bugal; TSAT Principal Dr. Dorcas Mejia and TSAT-RRCY faculty; Dr. Ramelito Paler of Head of Extension Services EVSU Tanauan Campus; Tacloban City Assistant Division Superintendent Dr. Edgar Tenasas, BJMP Superintendent Rill Sonon; Dr. Maurico Catan of DepEd Leyte, Retired Judge Ephraim Abando of Tanauan LGU; and some City/Municipal Social Work and Development Officers from different LGUs.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VIII, through the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Regional Program Management Office, conducted its Regional Convergence Team Mid-Year Assessment and Planning Activity last June 21-23, 2022 at Hotel Costa Brava, Tacloban City. The activity spotlighted the national government agencies’ plans, deliverables, and commitments for the next semester of CY 2022. Also, it served as a convergence avenue for the enhancements of the initiatives in assisting identified Community-Based Organizations to have easy access to different services of the participating partner agencies, to be oriented on the government procurement process, marketing skills, entrepreneurship, and be receptive of the upgraded Agri-technology or application of techniques to control the growth and harvesting of animal and vegetable products. The said activity was attended by the Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Agriculture, National Irrigation Administration, Department of Education, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, National Nutrition Council, Department of Health, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, Philippine Council of Urban Poor, National Dairy Authority, National Housing Authority, Department of Interior and Local Government, Cooperative Development Authority, and the Bureau of Fish and Aquatic Resources. EPAHP is a convergence program intended to contribute to the National Government’s effort in eradicating hunger and addressing poverty through the synergy of essential programs and services from various agencies. #DSWDMayMalasakit #epahp

DSWD Field Office VIII recently participated in the Retooled Community Services Program (RCSP) Serbisyo Caravan in Bunga Elementary School, Brgy. Plaridel, Villareal Samar. This is in support of Executive Order No. 70 on the whole-of-nation approach to pursue the country’s peace agenda. RCSP is a convergence mechanism for the local government units particularly in the barangay for the identification of issues and needed government interventions. It is anchored on the empowerment framework to develop people’s capability to organize themselves and own development by bringing about value-chain interventions to uplift their current condition. Meanwhile, the RCSP Serbisyo Caravan is part of the government’s collective action in making basic services accessible to conflict-vulnerable areas that are now free from insurgency. Services extended during the caravan included free haircut, circumcision, dental services, medical consultation, COVID-19 vaccination, appliance repair, shoe repair, live birth registration, distribution of meals, medicines, hygiene kits, seeds, gardening tools, and update on livelihood registration, among others. DSWD FO VIII Regional Director Grace Subong represented by Ma. Joyce A. Flora, Samar Sub-Field Office Head, provided Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Cash Assistance in the amount of PHP3,000.00 to 57 households. Moreover, around 1,143 households are to receive cash assistance in partnership with the Villarreal Municipal Office headed by Mayor Marilou R. Latorre, Municipal Social Welfare Development Officer Kris Benido and Armed Forces of the Philippines 801st BDE, 8ID, PA. Also present during the event are representatives from the Office of the Civil Defense, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Agriculture, Local Government Units, Public Employment Service Office, Department of Labor and Employment, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency VIII, 801st BDE Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and residents of 5 RCSP Barangays namely Brgy. Plaridel, Binoongan, Lawaan, Inarumbacan and Patag. #DSWDMayMalasakit

Family of ‘tuba’ gatherer graduates from 4Ps Elmer Cadiente, a tuba manangguete o manananggot (coconut wine gatherer) lives with his family in the humble town of Brgy. Santol, Alangalang, Leyte. Early in the morning, he climbs coconut trees to be made into fine wine. He also works as a farmer. However, life was still very hard with very insufficient income that cannot fully support his family. He even took out some loans. Elmer and his wife, Analiza, were then so agonized their three children might not be able to finish school due to their circumstance. His eldest child Paul Edmond was already in second year college but he stopped schooling to augment in the school expenses of his younger sister Angelica who was a 1st year student taking up Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. Fortunately in Year 2010, their family became a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). The conditional cash grants given by the program augmented in the needs of the children in terms of their education, health, and nutrition. While the Family Development Sessions (FDS) had helped them better manage their finances which eventually enabled the parents to send all their children to school. Cadiente Family has reached the self-sufficient level of wellbeing based on the administered Social Welfare and Development Indicator (SWDI) Tool and graduated from (4Ps). They expressed their gratitude towards the program and committed to work hard and dream high, embracing all the knowledge and life skills they learned from FDS, until their youngest child finishes his college degree and succeeds in breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty. (ML Daphne A. Laude| SMU) #DSWDMayMalasakit#PantawidPamilyangPilipinoProgram

Project Angle Tree: Bringing smile to the children’s faces and hope to their hearts The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VIII as part of the Regional Council against Child Labor of Eastern Visayas celebrated the World Day Against Child Labor on Philippine Independence Day at Robinsons North, Abucay, Tacloban City. The Project Angel Tree which aimed to raise awareness on our battle against child labor was highlighted during the said event. This was spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office VIII who expressed their gratitude to those who sent their donations including shoes, bags, school supplies, clothes, toys, and other household items which were handed to around 50 identified child laborers and their families. #DSWDMayMalasakit

The Crisis Intervention Unit of DSWD Field Office VIII conducted a Consultation Dialogue with Service Providers including medical and funeral Institutions from Tacloban City and other nearby municipalities. This is to strengthen partnership for enhanced and compassionate delivery of social services specially for the vulnerable sectors. #DSWDMayMalasakit