DSWD Requires Couple to Attend Special Family Development Session

To better understand the topics on Family Planning, Responsible Parenthood and Gender Sensitivity, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program requires husband and wife to attend special topics of Family Development Session (FDS).

Meanwhile, DSWD 7 regional director Mercedita Jabagat disclosed that by enjoining both the husband and the wife to attend the special FDS “it will provide opportunity for both spouses to be knowledgeable about family concerns on equality, equity, responsible parenthood and family planning.”

Jabagat clarified that the mandatory requirement to attend special FDS is only limited on the said topics and does not cover solo parents as stated under National Advisory Council (NAC) Resolution Number 23.

The couple’s failure to attend the special FDS without valid reason would mean non-compliance with the FDS conditionality for the corresponding month or a deduction of P500 in their monthly subsidy.

FDS is one of the conditionalities of Pantawid Pamilya that gathers grantees once a month to discuss various development topics. It also serves as a venue to tackle pressing issues in the area.

The special conduct of the FDS is expected to have resource speakers from the Department of Health or Commission on Population, other related government agencies and civil society organizations.

Also, the NAC Resolution Number 23 is in line with the implementation of Republic Act 9710 of the Magna Carta of Women, Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, Solo Parents Welfare Act, Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act and Family Code of the Philippines.

In a related development, DSWD 7 has successfully conducted series of Gender Sensitivity Training, which was participated by more than 200 male spouses and Barangay Captains in Central Visayas.

The purpose of the training was to achieve gender equality and women empowerment as it seeks to capacitate the male spouses to do their part in attending FDS.

Topics during the training include understanding Gender Concept, Manifestation of Gender Bias, salient points of Republic Act 9262- Violence Against Women and their Children, Republic Act 7610- Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination, Republic Act 8353-Anti Rape Law of 1997 and Republic Act 9208- Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

Pepe Torrentira of Sagbayan, Bohol who was among the participants of the event shared that FDS has opened his mind to a lot of things, “Before I used to think that nagging is normal but now I stand corrected.”

Pepe’s family was adjudged as this year’s Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya second runner-up in the national competition.

Jerry Medalba, a single parent from Balamban also shared that FDS has greatly help him in taking care of his children.

“I have five children and it is not easy for me to raise them alone but despite my shortcomings I’m doing my best as a parent to them with the help of FDS,” Medalba emotionally shared.  (Phoebe Jen Indino, Pantawid Pamilya Information Officer)