DSWD, private orgs to assist 'street' kins

CEBU, Philippines - State social welfare agency has partnered with private organization to provide assistance to homeless street families in Metro Cebu.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 has recently sealed a one-year partnership with Bidlisiw Foundation Inc. for the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for hundreds of HSFs.

The implementation of the project started July this year and targets 550 HSF with a budget of P8,349,252.

Family beneficiary of the program is expected to receive P500 health assistance monthly while school children shall also get P300 (elementary) and P500 (high school).

Like the regular Pantawid Pamilya implementation, a maximum of three children will be covered by the MCCT.

Pantawid Pamilya started to target the homeless families and street dwellers through the MCCT with the aim of providing them safety and protection along with other development opportunities.

MCCT is designed to reach out HSF and indigenous people who are definitely poor, more vulnerable and disadvantaged but were left out in the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilya because of their being excluded in the enumeration of the National Housing Targeting System for having no family homes and for being geographically isolated and inaccessible.

Moreover, the modified program wants to enable the HSF and IP to overcome the barriers of enjoying the government's social protection assistance.

"The goal here is to move these families out of the street or help them find a decent home so that they become part of the regular Pantawid Pamilya," said Mercedita Jabagat, DSWD-7 regional director.

Also, the MCCT wants to address possible problem on domestic violence, malnutrition, child labor and other forms of child abuse through regular family visits or counseling. — (FREEMAN)