Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre, regional director of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-6) wants to intensify lectures on disaster preparedness in the Family Development Session (FDS) of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

The proposal came after four deaths were recorded at the evacuation centers in Iloilo during the preemptive evacuation due to Typhoon Ruby two weeks ago. This, despite recorded cases recorded were not directly caused by the typhoon. Causes include hypothermia, eclampsia, suspected pneumonia and preexisting disease conditions.

Macapobre said Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries should be taught what to bring including jacket and blanket during the preemptive evacuation so that their kids will not suffer from colds.

“Dapat ang mga mothers especially those pregnant and with infants should already know what things to bring when they are moving to evacuation centers,” she said.

Pantawid Pamilya is a program of the national government that aims to alleviate poverty through investment in human capital.

Under such program, beneficiaries may avail of P500 per month for health and nutrition, and P300 per month per child for education, for a maximum of three children per household as long as they are following the conditions set by the program.

Among the conditions are pregnant household member must visit their local health center to avail of pre-post-natal care, avail of appropriate delivery services by a skilled heath professional; avail at least one post-natal care within 6 weeks after childbirth and children 0-5 years old must visit the health center to avail immunization.

Also, have monthly weight monitoring and nutrition counseling for children aged 0-2 years old; have quarterly weight monitoring for 25 to 73 weeks old; have management of childhood disease for sick children; children 3-5 years old must be enrolled in a day care or pre-school program and maintain a class attendance rate of least 85% month;

Those children aged 6-12 years old must be enrolled in elementary and secondary school and maintain a class attendance rate of at least 85% a month and children 6-18 years old must be enrolled in elementary and secondary school and maintain a class attendance rate of least 85% a month.

Apart from these conditions, there are also some co-responsibilities of household beneficiaries especially for parents or guardians. Among these are parents or guardians must attend family development sessions at least once a month, must ensure attendance in Responsible Parenthood Sessions and Family Counseling Sessions, must participate in community activities, promote and strengthen the implementation of Pantawid Pamilya.

Based on the data of the DSWD-6, the FDS has 95.65 percent compliance rate, 89.43 percent for education while health is 84.51 percent.

Member of Indigenous People (IPs) Vilma Magbanua, who is also a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary from Barangay Man-up, Altavas in Aklan said through the FDS she learned the importance of health and proper hygiene.

Since then, her family is practicing proper personal hygiene such as taking a bath everyday, wearing clean and neat clothing, making their hair and nails look clean and tidy.

She said this practice also includes cleaning their surroundings and regularly bringing their children to the health center.

Magbanua added if ever the disaster preparedness will be integrated at their FDS, she is very thankful because she will have more ideas on disaster preparation especially that their area is vulnerable to landslide.(dswd6/Montesa G. Caoyonan)