Posted on by Jaesem Ryan Gaces

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L-R on left photo: The KOMPRe National Secretariat Mardi Mapa-Suplido, DSWD OSec Representative Dir. Roy Calfoforo, and DSWD FO1 Regional Director Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo sitting at the center conference table in front of the different sectors of the community including Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.

“Through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), government reforms are appreciated by the beneficiaries themselves who are experiencing changes for a better way of living. Reform should be felt by the people for them to appreciate the government’s programs and services for continuation of the next administration,” said Ms. Mardi Mapa-Suplido, National Secretariat of the Koalisyon ng Mamamayan para sa Reporma (KOMPRe) during their first people’s conference attended by the DSWD Field Office 1 in Dagupan City.

DSWD Field Office 1 Regional Director Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo welcomed the different sectors including Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries and Dir. Roy Calfoforo shared some information concerning the Department on behalf of Sec. Dinky Soliman.

According to Ms. Suplido, these program beneficiaries are experiencing government reforms in terms of budgeting process (Bottom-Up Budgeting), anti-corruption, economic, education, and health among others with the aid of Pantawid Pamilya. Their life changing stories are evidence of what President Benigno Aquino III has done to help the poor.

Thus was highlighted during the activity graced by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas, PhilHealth Board of Director Risa Hontiveros, former Pangasinan 3rd District Representative Rachel Arenas, Pangasinan 3rd District Representative Baby Arenas, Former House Speaker Jose De Venecia, Pangasinan 4th District Representative Gina D. De Venecia, and Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez.

KOMPRe believes that reform is really felt by the people through DSWD since it is one of the frontline government agencies extending services to the poor/disadvantaged like the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries through partnership with civil society organizations (CSOs), groups, and other private entities.

At least 300 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries from Dagupan City, Pangasinan together with various sectors of farmers, youth, Overseas Filipino Workers, and senior citizens were convened to participate this people’s conference with the theme “Walang Iwanan sa Tuwid na Daan Tungo sa Kapayapaan”. Flordeliza Datuin from Villasis, Pangasinan shared in her testimony that she became an active citizen in her barangay by being a parent leader.

KOMPRe’s first people’s conference aims to popularize, sustain, defend, and institutionalize the reforms under the present administration. This coalition was organized to deepen the understanding of people on important socio-eco-political issues and to engage in dialogues/fora to consolidate and heighten the gains. (by: Jaesem Ryan A. Gaces, Information Officer II/Pantawid Pamilya)