MAKATI CITY – ADDFII responding to the invitation given by DSWD lend Its presence during the Social Investment Forum held in Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City on February 13, 2013 at 5:30 pm.
DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), graced by the first set of its graduating beneficiaries, held the forum to encourage the business and private sectors to invest in their projects for the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program”.
Around 300,000 beneficiaries will be set out of the program for direct action before this year ends. This move is part of DSWD’s endeavors to ensure improved quality of life for poor Filipino families. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program along with SLP (Sustainable Livelihood Program) and KALAHI-CIDDS comprises the DSWD TATSULO and are crucial parts of its Convergence Framework.
Ms. Ma. Venus Raj, Miss Universe 2010 fourth runner up and a known showbiz personality, hosting the event, facilitated interaction with more than fifty organizations from the business and private sectors including non-governmental organizations attending and supporting the event.
During the occasion, a DTI (Department of Trade Industry) representative initiated giving a brief overview of their plans for 2013 focusing on the programs that will 1] mostly be benefitting the poor individuals and 2] investing in local communities.
Mr. Wadel S. Cabrera III, doing the presentation of the ‘status of implementation’ on ‘Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program’ is queued by Dir. Georgina Ann H. Hernandez expounding on the ‘status of implementation on the SLP’.
Hon. Sec. Corazon “Dinky” Juliano-Soliman took her turn delivering a message on ‘ Sustaining the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program’ through Public-Private partnership. She briefly has given three points on how important convergence is on her dissertation. “First; the people has to identify their own problems, then, they have to access assistance from converging DSWD and partners (DTI, DA, DENR, DOLE etc.) and the private sectors. Second; SLP will only be flourishing if converged with private sectors having the resources and skills, not mere outright jobs. Jobs should be productive and decent. Third; convergence and partnerships making inclusive growth, building the capacity of the target beneficiaries in long-term,” she said.
As a response, Mr. Rafael C. Lopa of Philippine Business for Social Progress, citing the speech of Ms. Sabrina Ongkiko delivered during a celebration in her alma mater, Ateneo de Manila University, focused on the intangible Return On Investment to furthering encouragement for the attendees to invest.
ADDFII staff namely, Mr. Elder Arizabal, Ms. Melanie Mananquil, Ms. Feebee Cao, Ms. Annabelle Bercasio, Ms. Jona Campana, Ms. Marissa Donida and Ms. Florence Orido, attending the forum, belonged to the Social Services Program of ADDFII.