By Anna liza Cabrido/Philippine News Agency
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 12 or Soccsksargen is pushing for the replication by more local government units (LGUs) and non-government groups of its priority programs for the poor and vulnerable sectors.
Amina Dataya, DSWD-12 social technology unit head, said Monday they are currently assisting LGUs and their partner development agencies in the region in adopting its flagship social technologies or programs and strategies.
She specifically cited initiatives that “address emerging needs and trends affecting poor and vulnerable individuals and families” in the region.
These include its program for people living with the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), Family Drug Abuse Prevention Program (FDAPP), processing of drug dependents and surrenderers, home care for the elderly, marriage counseling for Muslim couples and the Reporting System and Prevention Program for Elder Abuse Cases or ReSPPEC.
Dataya said their office has been closely working with LGU officials and key policy makers to facilitate the smooth adoption of the systems, approaches as well as concepts of these programs.
“Annually, we target to sell our products (social technologies) to LGUs and partner social welfare and development agencies,” she said in a statement.
She said two LGUs have already adopted the FDAPP and have been working on expanding its rollout to more beneficiaries.
Last year, Dataya said this city implemented its psychosocial care program for HIV/AIDS victims, a social technology that handles cases of people living with the disease.
A non-government organization in the city also adopted its program for drug dependents and surrenderers, she said.
She said the municipality of Pikit in North Cotabato had piloted a program that addresses the immediate needs of disaster victims through financial assistance.
The initiative, which was introduced to other areas, provides opportunities for poor residents to avail outright government support in events of disasters, she said.
Dataya added that several LGUs have signified to adopt ReSPPEC, a community-based project that aims to protect the elderly and senior citizens from all forms of abuses by establishing local reporting mechanisms in barangays and communities.
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