In preparation for the full implementation of the Dynamic Social Registry (DSR) by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Statisticians and Information Technology Officers from the National Household Targeting Office (NHTO) and field offices participated in a Capacity Building Training from September 9-13, 2024, held at Langojon Beach Resort, General Luna, Surigao del Norte.

This training marked the first step towards achieving one of DSR’s key features: interoperability among the Department’s administrative databases. The workshop aimed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience needed to design, develop, and manage data systems. Key topics included data warehousing fundamentals, Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) processes, data security, and reporting.

Mr. Melecio Valerio Jr., the resource person, led discussions on critical concepts such as data modeling, visualization, and the development and implementation of data warehouses. These areas are essential for statisticians and IT officers to manage a larger, more dynamic datasets for DSR.

The training kicked-off with an intensive session on user stories, data modeling standards, and data warehouse implementation. This was followed by practical exercises using data visualization tools, which resulted in completed dashboards and reports, showcasing the importance of maintaining a high-quality database.

Aside from the training, NHTO Director Jimmy Francis Shuck III facilitated a planning workshop with Regional Field Coordinators to prepare for the expansion of DSR to 235 municipalities, which will be implemented before the year ends. He emphasized the need for strategic planning, particularly for registering Pregnant and Lactating Mothers (PLMs) in the identified areas. Director Shuck also presented essential barangay characteristics that need to be considered for profiling to effectively execute the work plan.

In Caraga Region, eight municipalities in Surigao del Sur—Bayabas, Carmen, Carrascal, Lanuza, Lingig, Madrid, San Agustin, and San Miguel—have been selected for the expansion of pilot testing. These areas were profiled by NHTS Caraga, with support from the Municipal Link Officer of Pantawid and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO).

Assistant Secretary Krunimar Antonio Escudero III of NHTS, in his closing remarks, commended the active participation of various field offices during the planning workshop. He expressed hope that the detailed profiling will result in a high-quality checklist for the DSR pilot testing expansion. Escudero also stressed the urgency of executing the plan, noting that its success would significantly impact upcoming department programs.