DSWD_ARMM spearheads Pantawid Pamilya "Road show" in Lanao Sur

RESWAD, BRGY. SEMBA, D.O.S., MAGUINDANAO- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)- ARMM under the leadership of Acting Regional Secretary Hadja Pombaen Karon Kader has conducted on April 12-13, 2011 a "Road Show" activity of the Philippines' Conditional Cash Transfer program or commonly known as Pantawid Pamilya in the municipality of Bubong, Lanao del Sur.     Present during the event were top officials of DSWD National led by Secretary Corazon Juliano Soliman with Asst. Sec. Parisya Taradji, Asst. Sec. Vilma Cabrera, Pantawid Pamilya National Program Manager Dir. Honorita Bayudan, among others.     Mr. Tarcicio Castaneda, World Bank Consultant, and a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Expert from Latin America was also around during the two-day affair.     For the part of the local government, it was led by Vice Governor Arsad Marohombsar who represented Governor Mamintal Adiong, Jr. along with other officials, and some of the municipal mayors of the province.     Sec. Soliman and the party was personally received and welcomed by Bubong town Mayor Alfaiz T. Munder, the chosen municipality visited by the team with 1, 247 registered beneficiaries.     During the dialogue, Sec. Soliman with Sec. Kader, Mayor Munder, and Bubong Municipal Link Saipodin Mamintong responded to the common issues, and concerns raised by the beneficiaries like the problems encountered during payments of the cash grant, releasing of cash cards and others, and then later on developed recommendations on finding solutions to such grievances.     "The Consultation Dialogue took place at the municipal gymnasium of the town where some of the beneficiaries got the chance to throw their queries and interact directly with Sec. Soliman, to clear things up as we find answers to their questions with regards to the implementation of Pantawid Pamilya. Aside from this, we also had a Consultation Dialogue with the provincial government to address their issues and concerns," said Acting Regional Secretary Hadja Pombaen Karon Kader.     Further, one of the core social protection programs of DSWD is the Conditional Cash Transfer program or commonly known as Pantawid Pamilya is now on its full implementation with 257, 557 targeted beneficiaries throughout the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao under the leadership of Acting Regional Governor Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong.     "The purpose of the activity is to identify the status of program implementation and its impact direct from the ground, and to personally witness and closely interact as well with the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries," said Sec. Corazon Soliman.     Meantime, Vice Governor Arsad Marohombsar lauded the positive gesture of the national leadership. He said the new administration is clearly committed of reducing poverty level in the province of Lanao del Sur. (Gilmhar A. Lao, 4Ps Regional Information Officer/ DSWD-ARMM)