Posted on by Lucy Galvez

Top: Regional Focal Person Cristina A. Dacanay synthesizes all the discussions and answers the queries of the MPDCs while the Regional Deputy Project Manager Anniely J. Ferrer discusses the project’s background. Below: Regional Information Technology Officer Aristedeo V. Tinol demonstrates the database online access while the Regional Associate Statistician Glynnis S. Casuga presents the statistical data of the project.
Top: Regional Focal Person Cristina A. Dacanay synthesizes all the discussions and answers the queries of the MPDCs while the Regional Deputy Project Manager Anniely J. Ferrer discusses the project’s background. Below: Regional Information Technology Officer Aristedeo V. Tinol demonstrates the database online access while the Regional Associate Statistician Glynnis S. Casuga presents the statistical data of the project.

The database of poor households of the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is now readily available for the utilization of data users.

This is for the National Government Agencies (NGAs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), private organizations and other groups to have a more efficient, faster, and focused targeting of potential beneficiaries of their different social protection programs as being mandated by Executive Order 867.

It is the reason why the National Household Targeting Unit (NHTU) of the DSWD Field Office 1 keeps on soliciting the support of different organizations in the whole region to utilize the NHTS-PR database and eventually say “yes” and enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the DSWD.

Through the conduct of Consultation Dialogues with all the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators (MPDCs) in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur held recently, the importance of the NHTS-PR database, data sharing and utilization guidelines, and statistical data were rigidly presented. Online access to the database was also accurately demonstrated.

Disagree to Agree

MPDCs are considered to be the databank of the municipality they belong that is why the NHTS-PR database is beneficial to them for easier identification of their potential beneficiaries of their social protection services in their own locality according to the Provincial Social Welfare Officer of Ilocos Norte Lilian Celia Rin. She further added that NHTS-PR database is a helpful tool in planning social protection programs and services to be implemented. But entering into a MOA is a big question to them.

The Regional Field Coordinator Joan M. Nuesca explained that sets of data being requested by data users are indicated and specified in the MOA. From this, the NHTU will have a basis in monitoring and making sure that the appropriate social protection services were properly delivered to their target poor households, she further added.

Sets of data in the database are considered to be confidential in nature because aside from statistics, names and other details of poor households are specified.

Despite of gray areas regarding entering into a MOA, MPDCs were enlightened after the guidelines of data sharing were clearly articulated.

Partnership Starts

The NHTU looks forward for more MPDCs to enter into MOA thru their Municipal Mayor and eventually become one of the data users of NHTS-PR.

The interest of the MPDCs to utilize the soonest possible time is implied by their eagerness to access the database and they even tend to refuse in entering into a MOA but it is the requirement of the Department.

In just one strike of a pen, many poor households will receive social protection services that may lead to the upliftment of their quality of life. (By Jaesem Ryan A. Gaces, Administrative Assistant V, NHTS-PR)