Field Office VI

Her hand was shaking as she held a piece of paper on her one hand while the other gently squeezed the little palm of her youngest child.

That little paper represented a very important possession in her life—a Certificate of Occupancy giving them the go signal to live in the newly-built shelter unit funded by the government. It was handed to her personally by DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman who graced the occasion in San Antonio, Ajuy, Iloilo conducted recently.

Heide Liezl Celada, 35 years old, received the certificate together with her husband Jonathan, 46, and their two children. Witnessing the ceremony were Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli, Ajuy Mayor Juan Alv arez and Board Member Jett Rojas.

Heide was only one of the 100 beneficiaries of Modified Shelter Assistance Program of DSWD in the mu nicipality who received P70,000 each for the construction of the units. Of the 100, 60 or P4.2 million-worth of houses were built at San Antonio Site and were inaugurated and turned over to the beneficiaries. The remaining P2.8 million was released for other barangays.

“This started with a dream of families, the Local Government Unit of Ajuy and the Provincial Government of Iloilo. Now, you are seeing a dream come true. The shelter units are already here and we can see them in our very eyes. It is now up to you, the beneficiaries, to start a new life,” said Soliman.

According to her, the family beneficiaries should get motivation and strength from this achievement to strive for a more progressive life.

“What is important is that with the fresh start, you get the drive to see more of your dreams coming true…that you won’t just be contented of dreaming but work for those dr eams to become a reality,” Soliman told the beneficiaries.

She also said that this would not be impossible for the beneficiaries because the leadership in Iloilo recognizes the importance of the Community Driven Development (CDD) which puts emphasis on people empowerment and participation.

The Local Government Unit provided the site as well as shouldered the development of the area.

“What is important is that you will build a peaceful community where you are all united towards giving the best future for your children,” Soliman added./dswd6/May Rago-Castillo

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office recently showcased its convergence strategy to a group of Chinese citizens who are into poverty reduction.

“We are implementing the Convergence Strategy and Aklan is one of the areas wherein we could see this working. Under the strategy, we are implementing three core programs so that we could pool resources and achieve maximum results. The Three Core Programs include Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, KALAHI-CIDSS or Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services and Sustainable Livelihood,” said Director Minda B. Brigoli of DSWD6 when she delivered a message before the delegates coming from the International Poverty Reduction Center in China.

The delegates visited the towns of Libacao and Malay, both in Aklan Province, which exposed them to the implementation of the three programs. Among those who warmly welcomed them were Governor Carlito Marquez, Mayor John Yap of Malay and Mayor Charito Navarrosa of Libacao.