BUTUAN CITY- The implementers of social protection programs such as Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers (MSWDO) and Municipal Planning and Development Officers (MPDOs) convened during the simultaneous conduct of Data Users Forum on the Listahanan 2 Database Utilization per cluster in Caraga Region.

The said forum was spearheaded by the National Household Targeting Unit (NHTU) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga which was conducted in September 5 for Agusan del Norte Cluster, September 6 for Surigao del Sur Cluster, September 7 for Agusan del Sur Cluster, September 12 for Surigao del Norte Cluster (Mainland), and September 13 for Province of Dinagat Island and Surigao del Norte Island cluster.

 

 

 

Nerisa T. Murih, Assistant Regional Director for Administration and Deputy Regional Project Manager of Listahanan, formally opened the activity through a welcome message during the forum for Agusan del Norte Cluster.

“Your presence serves as proof how genuine and serious you are in battling poverty in your localities. As our active partners in development, we are happy that you serve your constituents using the Listahanan 1 Database. We are only helping you to identify rightful beneficiaries for your programs and services funded by the LGU,” said Murih.

“With the existence of Listahanan 2 Database, we are hoping that you will also forged a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the department to access the said Database and use it in selecting potential beneficiaries for your programs and services,” she added.

 

During the forum, Regional Focal Person Fe Balason discussed the salient features of R.A. 10173 or known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012, Regional Field Coordinator Aldie Mae Andoy discussed the enhanced MOA and Data Sharing guidelines, Regional Information Technology Officer Raffy Pocon presented the Regional Profile of the Poor for each provinces, and Regional Associate Statistician Marivic Esteban talked about the Proxy Means Test (PMT) model that was used in identifying poor households.

The new data sharing guidelines states that the data shared shall be used for purposes of social protection activities, such as but not limited to, provision of social services or enrollment in poverty reduction programs and the development of programs or projects.  These guidelines are anchored on the provisions of the relevant laws and issuances relating to data protection and security and data sharing such as RA 10173, EO. No. 2 Series of 2016, General Circular no. 1 and 2 of National Archives of the Philippines, and others.

After the discussion from each speaker, the NHTU allotted time for open forum where questions, concerns, clarifications, and suggestions raised by the participants of each cluster were addressed and noted.

PSWDO Virginia Salar of the Dinagat Islands, expressed her commitment to access the Listahanan 2 Database since the data is very useful in the implementation of their programs and services in the province.

“I am happy that the data is readily available. These data are valuable for us implementers in designing new programs, planning, and budgeting. With the existing services we have in PDI, this is useful in identifying potential beneficiaries,” said Salar.

 

Also, PSWDO Mae Salinas of Surigao del Sur, commended the Listahanan database for having a comprehensive information of who and where the poor are in the region. This information is necessary in identifying recipients with their programs and services in the province.

With the concluded activities, it is expected that the unit will conduct Inspection Meeting with the provincial government and other partner-stakeholders to check the compliance of the requirements as stipulated in the provision of DPA as well as to give technical assistance.

As per guidelines, the sharing of the database will be from the department to the provincial government, and the province will share to its component municipalities and cities.

Aside from the provincial government, the Listahanan Database can also be shared to National Government Agencies (NGAs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

Listahanan is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are in the country. It provides complete basic information on poor households who will become beneficiaries of the different anti-poverty programs and services. ###(ABEGAIL R. ALVAREZ/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)