DSWD-NCR recognizes partners in MCCT-HSF and OBBSB programs

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=7&rid=836680
• Thursday, December 10, 2015

By Leilani S. Junio [(PNA), SCS/LSJ/EDS]

MANILA, Dec. 10 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) recognized on Wednesday evening its various partners for their contributions in the implementation of the agency's programs and projects for homeless street families (HSF) in Metro Manila.

DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan led the distribution of certificates and plaques of recognition to the awardees at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

Director Bonoan thanked them profusely for their unity and cooperation in line with the goal of addressing the problems on street-dwelling and helping the homeless families to rise with dignity by giving them the opportunity to change their lives.

The awardees consisted of task forces from different barangays in Manila and Quezon City for their active participation in the successful implementation of "Oplan Balik Bahay Sagip Buhay" (OBBSB) and Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Homeless Street Families (MCCT-HSF).

Non-government organizations and civil society organizations, academic communities and cities that implemented different programs ensuring that street dwellers were given the necessary intervention to inspire them to aspire for a better living condition also received ven plaques of recognition.

Most of the awardees were recognized for assisting the DSWD in providing support services for supplementary feeding programs (SFP), education, livelihood programs, housing, medical missions and other related activities.

Director Bonoan was joined and assisted by DSWC-NCR OIC- Assistant Regional Director Jacel J. Paguio and Miss Universe 2010 Fourth Runner-up and DSWD Ambassadress to Children Ma. Venus Raj in the awarding ceremony.

A total of 33 task forces from Manila and Quezon City and three academic communities received certificates.

Among the task forces in Manila that were recognized were Task Force Tondo, Task Force Juan Luna, Task Force Bambang, Task Force Tayuman, and Task Force Abad Santos/R. Papa.

The task forces in QC that received awards were Task Force Lingap sa Mamamayan, Task Force Sulu, Task Force Kalayaan, Task Force Amihan, Task Force Amor, Task Force Kalinga, Task Force Kaagapay, Task Force Melchora, Task Force Balintawak, Task Force Pitong Kamay, Task Force Magnificent 7, Task Force Paang Bundok, Task Force Sagip Bata, Task Force Katipunan, Task Force C-5 and Task Force Aurora.

Among the NGOs/CSOs that were cited were Bukas Palad Foundation, Ideals Foundation, Center for Community Transformation, Virlanie Foundation, Tzu Chi Foundation, IHELP, and Ermita-Malate Business Owners Association (EMBOA).

Other cities in the NCR and barangays assisting in the project were also given recognition plaques.

Also present in the recognition night were some beneficiaries of OBBSB and MCCT-HSF who gave their testimonies on how the DSWD programs had helped them in changing their lives. In their respective speeches, they thanked DSWD and its partners.

MCCT-HSF is a DSWD program that provides cash grants to beneficiaries who dwell on the risky streets or in carts.

The DSWD rents a room for them for a period of six months to one year so that they can eventually embrace the importance of living in a protective place for their family instead of continuing to live in risky streets.

The program aims to enable the families to eventually continue the rental through their own capacity.

MCCT-HSF was started in 2012 while OBBSB was launched before the middle of this year to ensure that all sectors are joining forces in ensuring that problems on street-dwelling can be addressed effectively.

OBBSB is a joint project of DSWD and local government units (LGUs) together with the barangays and different government agencies and NGOs/CSOs.

Its initial project was the provision of Kabuhayan Food Carts (KFCs) to beneficiaries who have entrepreneurial skills so that they can have a dignified source of income that they can use in exiting from poverty as the government helps them in the education and health promotion of their children.