In Palawan, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) MIMAROPA organized an orientation aimed at familiarizing key stakeholders with the Essential Social Services Intervention (ESSI) program.
This initiative, held in partnership with the Provincial Government of Palawan through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), signifies a concerted effort to address the needs of marginalized communities.
The orientation session, attended by Barangay Officials, Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), Barangay Health Workers (BHW), Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs), Tribal Leaders/Chieftains, and 4Ps Parent Leaders, served as a platform to disseminate vital information about the objectives, principles, and strategies of the ESSI program.
Central to the discussions was the importance of fostering collaboration and coordination among various agencies and stakeholders, with an emphasis on the pivotal role of the Barangay Inter-agency Committee (BIAC) in program implementation. Through interactive workshops, participants engaged in identifying community issues and crafting actionable plans to address these challenges collectively.
The ESSI program, a component of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), targets Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in remote areas and homeless families, providing them with livelihood assistance, knowledge seminars, community projects, and housing subsidies through the Alternative Family Home (AFH) scheme.
According to DSWD, the orientation sessions serve as an important mechanism for capacity-building and fostering collaboration among barangay officials, empowering them to better support vulnerable individuals and families within their communities. By enhancing their understanding of social welfare programs and strengthening their role in program implementation, these initiatives contribute significantly to the holistic development and well-being of Palawan’s communities.