Sec. Soliman consults Boholanos on anti-poverty programs

TAGBILARAN CITY ,Philippines  — Simultaneous consultation dialogues of two government anti-poverty programs were conducted by Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman in Bohol recently.

The programs discussed were the Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), a community driven community project, and the National Household Targeting System-Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), both of which are government strategies on poverty reduction carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and Services.

Soliman attended the consultation to clarify and put issues at rest, such as targeting and identification of beneficiaries for NHTS-PR and proposed enhancement of implementation for KALAHI-CIDSS.

The rationale of the talks was that careful planning with relevant stakeholders gives everyone a chance to contribute and develop some insightful and well-rounded policy ideas.

"Relationships that will be built around respect and empowering processes are going to last beyond our lifetime and that is when we can say democracy is true in the barangay. That is our task. That is our contribution," Soliman told the participants at the Bohol Plaza Hotel.

Review or consultation has been an effective tool in leveling off issues especially where decision makers are involved, the reason why Soliman had to come to Bohol for the purpose.

The DSWD's anti-poverty programs have the mandate of empowering disadvantaged individuals and improve their way of life. The first step to do is to assist the poor in identifying their needs then educate and equip them with knowledge and capability building activities, said the agency.

The DSWD said the community must be able to decide what is best for them in terms of need and sustainability. It hoped that the recent consultation would alert people to the potentials and pitfalls that they themselves would help set some good practices for the future. (PR-Lariba)