Butuan City– The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga through the Social Marketing Unit (SMU) in cooperation with the Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is officially opening this year’s Regional Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya.

The said search recognizes family beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya who maintain strong family ties, demonstrate positive Filipino values, and have positive impact in their respective communities. These families serve as inspiration and proof to the public that the program helps in achieving positive changes in their lives.

Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli encourages all the Provincial Operations Offices (POO) of Pantawid Pamilya to officially submit their respective entries to the Field Office on July 8, 2016.

“We have set guidelines on how our Huwarang Pamilya will be selected in the provincial level. These criteria shall be followed strictly by the provincial board of adjudicators (BOA) so us to meet what the National Program Management Office (NPMO) of Pantawid Pamilya is expected from us.” said Brigoli.

Per directive from the NPMO, the Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya shall be selected through the following criteria that vary in two different phases. Phase one (1) is called the desk validation phase where the BOA will be judging based on the packaged documentation from the POO. The following criteria are as follow:  (1) 25% for a family that maintains strong ties and harmonious relationship and upholds Filipino values despite the challenges brought about by poverty, (2) 20% for a family that practices and promotes healthy living and taking care of the environment, (3) 20% for a family that is actively involved in community activities, (4) 20% for a family who inspires other members of the community, and (5) 15% for a family who strives to improve living condition amidst difficult situation.

On the other hand, the field validation follows a separate criteria. These are the following: (1) 25% for character, (2) 25% for communication, (3) 25% for leadership/participation in community activities and (4) 25% for insights.

“For this year, I am too happy to announce that we have partnered with other government agencies in selecting our regional representative. Tentatively, we have sent a letter of request to Commission on Population (PopCom), Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Education (DepEd) to be one of the BOA members during the desk and field validations.” added Brigoli.

“The regional Huwarang Pamilya will serve as ambassadors of Pantawid Pamilya, resource persons in Family Development Sessions and any activity where we could share their knowledge and experience, and help in the advocacy efforts of Pantawid Pamilya which include allowing the use of their photos and stories in the communication materials of the program and accommodating media interviews.” she closed.

As to date, the POOs around the region have their respective preparations in their provincial search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya.

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, also known as Pantawid Pamilya and formerly Ahon Pamilyang Pilipino, is a conditional cash transfer (CCT) program of the Philippine government under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It aims to eradicate extreme poverty in the Philippines by investing in health and education particularly in ages 0–18. It is patterned on programs in other developing countries like Brazil (Bolsa Familia) and Mexico (Opurtunidades)###SocialMarketingUnitDSWDFieldOfficeCaraga###