DSWD-7 Launches Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya Regional Search

Now on its third year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII has recently launched the Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya Regional Search.

The search aims to recognize family-beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilya who maintain strong family ties, demonstrate positive Filipino values, and have a positive impact in the community where they reside.

“The search is open to all family beneficiaries of the program. The family must consist of the father and/or mother, which means solo parent included and child/children,” said DSWD 7 regional director Mercedita Jabagat.

DSWD 7 will hold four provincial searches slated on July 7 in Tagbilaran City, July 9 in Cebu City, July 13 in Siquijor and July 15 in Dumaguete City.

The top provincial winner will automatically compete for the Regional Search. The winner of the Regional Search will represent DSWD-7 to the National Competition.

Desk validation criteria for model families include maintenance of strong family ties and harmonious relationship while upholding Filipino values despite challenges of poverty (25%), family practices and promotes healthy living and environment care (20%), family involvement in community activities (20%), family as inspiration to others in the community (20%) and strives to improve living conditions amidst difficult situation (15%).

Criteria for field evaluation include Character (25%), Communication (25%), Leadership and participation in community activities (25%) and Insights (25%).

Other requirements to join the search include the following:

1. A Filipino family* who is a beneficiary of the Program for at least two years.
*Family: mother, father, and child/children OR solo parent and child/children
**IP families with practice of polygamy can be nominated as well
2. A family who has good standing in the community with no derogatory records and has not been convicted of any administrative, criminal, civil case or cases involving moral turpitude in the last five years.
3. A family whose income is not derived from gambling, prostitution, child labor, extortion and other similar illegal resources
4. A family with 100% compliance in all conditionalities.

Provincial Winners will receive cash prize worth P6,000 (first prize), P4,000 (second prize) and P2,000 (third prize) and a certificate of recognition.

Regional Winners will receive P10,000 (grand prize), P8,000 (first prize), P6,000 (second prize) and P4,000 (third prize). They will also get trophies and certificate of recognition.

All provincial and regional winners will get transportation assistance from DSWD-7.

The regional awarding is slated on August 13 at SM City-Cebu.

Last year, DSWD 7’s entry Ewican Family from Barangay Alegria, Carmen, Bohol won second runner up in the national level.

In 2013, Hermocilla’s family from Sagbayan, Bohol also won fourth.

Pantawid Pamilya is the Philippines version of the conditional cash transfer that invests in the education and health of poor children aged 0-18. (Phoebe Jen Indino- Pantawid Pamilya Information Officer)