INTRODUCTION:
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office is a welfare arm of Misamis Occidental pursuant to the Local Government Code of the Philippines otherwise known as Republic Act 7160 which provides the devolution of social services and programs to Local Government Units. It develops, administers and implements comprehensive social welfare programs and services designed to uplift the living conditions and improve the quality of life of distressed and disadvantaged individuals, groups, families and communities for them to become self-reliant and participating members of our society.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) programs and services are geared towards promoting the rights and welfare of the poor and marginalized for an improved quality of life.
For the past years, the PSWDO’s roles and functions have expanded in accordance with the Local Government Code, which was implemented in 1992. It directed the functions and operations of the Office as direct service provider and technical services provider.
VISION
An institution empowering the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged to become resilient and contribute to community development in an environment of peace upholding the principles of integrity and human dignity
MISSION
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Misamis Occidental in coordination and partnership with the Local Government Units, National Government Agencies, NGOs, People’s Organizations and Civil Society Organizations aim to empower, provide social protection and promote the rights and welfare of the poor, vulnerable and the disadvantaged individuals, groups and community to improve quality of life and become contributory members of the community.
ORGANIZATIONAL OUTCOME
Empowered poor and vulnerable individuals and groups to become self-reliant and become contributing members of community.
GOALS:
Formulation and advocacy of a just and responsive social welfare and development legislative agenda, policies and plans as well as ensuring their effective implementation.
Provision of preventive, protective, rehabilitative and developmental programs and services.
Provision of technical assistance and resource augmentation to intermediaries in the implementation of social welfare and development programs and services.
MANDATES:
SECTION 17 of RA No. 7160 (States the Basic Services and Families)W:
a) Local Government Code of 1991, specifically Section 16 entitled General Welfare, mandates that every local government unit shall exercise powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare. Within their respective territorial jurisdictions, local government units shall ensure and support, among other things, the preservation and the enrichment of culture, promote health and safety, enhance the right of people to a balanced ecology, encourage and support the development of appropriate and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, improve public morals, enhance economic prosperity and social justice, promote full employment among their residents, maintain peace and order, and preserve the comfort and convenience of their inhabitants. Further, Section 17 entitled Basic Services and Facilities mandates that (a) Local Government Units, shall endeavor to be self-reliant and shall continue exercising the powers and discharging the duties and functions currently vested upon them. They shall also discharge the functions and responsibilities of national agencies and offices devolved to them pursuant to this Code. Local government units shall likewise exercise such other powers and discharge such other functions and responsibilities as are necessary, appropriate, or incidental to efficient and effective provision of basic services and facilities enumerated herein.
For provinces, the Local Government Code of 1991 states that the Social Welfare Services which includes programs and projects on returnees and evacuees; relief operations; and, population development services;
FUNCTIONS:
As the lead agency in social welfare and development, the PSWDO exercises the following functions:
Develops and implements a comprehensive provincial social welfare and development programs;
Develops, implements or causes the efficient and effective implementation of measures, programs and projects aimed at alleviating poverty and/or minimizing its ill-effects on the disadvantaged, the PWDs, the Elderly and such other marginalized, disadvantaged underprivileged or impoverished individuals or groups in the province;
Provides assistance in the implementation of programs for the total development and protection of children up to six (6) years of age;
Coordinates and links with government agencies and other non-government organizations in promoting social welfare and development in the province;
Develop and enriches existing programs and services for specific groups such as children and youth, women, families and communities, solo parent, older persons and PWDs.
Provides technical assistance and capability to intermediaries.
Provides social protection to the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged sector. PSWDO also gives augmentation funds to local government units so these could deliver social welfare and development (SWD) services to depressed municipalities and barangays and provide protective services to individuals, families in crisis situation.
OFFICE FUNCTION:
Develop plans and programs, formulate measures for the approval of the Sanggunian and provide technical support and assistance to ensure the delivery of basic services and provision of adequate facilities relative to social welfare development and operation. Identify the basic needs of the needy, the disadvantaged and impoverished, develop measures to alleviate their problems and help improve their living conditions. Provide relief and appropriate crisis intervention for victims of calamities, abuse and exploitation. Facilitate the implementation of welfare programs for the disabled, the elderly and other disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors/groups.
CLIENTELE / BENEFICIARIES:
A client/beneficiary is referred to the disadvantaged, marginalized and vulnerable individuals, groups, families and communities availing any of the services offered by social welfare and development agencies. These may include but not limited to the following:
Abandoned, neglected, abused and exploited children and other children in need of special protection;
Out of school youth and other youth with special needs;
Women in specially difficult circumstances (WEDC);
Persons with disabilities or differently-abled persons;
Senior citizens;
Marginalized and disadvantaged individuals, families and communities: indigenous groups, those in crisis situations, internally displaced due to armed conflict.
Victims of natural and man-made calamities/disasters.
Former Rebels (FR)
GENERAL POLICIES:
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Misamis Occidental recognizes the important role of every citizen in developing the Province and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. It also recognizes the rights of every Misamisnon to develop their full potentials as human being and thereby needs support from government thru the provision of programs, projects, and activities to empower the poor, vulnerable, and the disadvantaged individuals, groups and communities to become self-reliance and become contributing members of the community.
As a social welfare agency, the PSWDO give utmost importance to the principle of respect in the inherent worth and dignity of all men.
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES:
Returnees and Evacuees (Internally Displaced Persons)
Emergency Relief Assistance
Food for Work
Cash for Work
Emergency Shelter Assistance
Psycho-Social Support
Processing/Enrollment to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program
Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation: Medical, Burial, Transportation, etc.
Immediate Assistance for Livelihood
Provide updates on the programs and services for those identified and qualified former rebels
Strengthen partnership among PEACE, Inc. members and LGUs and other stakeholders
Facilitates the mainstreaming of Former Rebels as productive citizens
Enhance capacities of LGUs and National Government Agencies (NGAs) in the implementation and sustainability of the ECLIP
Population and Development Services for Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Sectors
Child Welfare
Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Services
Monitoring of Supplemental Feeding Program
Technical Assistance to Child Development Workers
Assessment of Child Development Workers and Centers for Accreditation and Licensing
Early Detection of Disability and Developmental Delays among Children.
Provision of Honorarium for Child Development Workers
Women Welfare:
Livelihood Productivity Training
IEC/Forum on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control
Orientation on R.A. 9262 – Anti-Violence Against Women and Children
Orientation on Feminine Personal Hygiene
Orientation on R.A. 8972 – Solo Parents Welfare Act
Capability Building and Skills Development
Persons with Disabilities:
Conduct Early Detection Screening of Disability
Advocacy on the Implementation of BP 344 and other PWD Laws
Technical Assistance to Strategic Alliance for Networking on Disability (STAND)
Technical Assistance & Monitoring of PPA’s charged to 1% budget of the province
Technical Assistance for Organizational Development
Assistance in the conduct of Advocacy and other Sectoral Observance, Celebrations and Conferences
Skills Training and Livelihood Assistance
Provision of Assistive / Mobility Devices
Financial Assistance for Medical and other Physical Needs
Senior Citizens Welfare:
Self and Social Enhancement
Volunteer Resource Development
Provision of Honorarium to Senior Citizen Barangay Presidents of Misamis Occidental
Coordinate with the DSWD in the Implementation of Social Pension
Technical Assistance & Monitoring of PPA’s charged to the 1% budget of the province
Provision of Assistive / Mobility Devices
Rewarding Senior Citizens Reaching Certain Age Brackets
Financial Assistance for Medical and other Physical Needs
Assistance in the conduct of Advocacy and Sectoral Observance
Population Program:
Population Development Integration
Responsible Parenthood/Reproductive Health (R.A. 10354)
Family Planning
Adolescent Health and Youth Development (AHYD)
Pre-Marriage Counseling
Technical Assistance to the City and Municipal Population Officers
POPQUIZ Show
Operation of Teen Centers:
Library Services
Recreation Center
Reproductive Health Services and Referrals
Counseling Services
Internet Café
Programs/Services for Out-of-School Youth and CICL:
Computer Literacy Training
On the Job Training (OJT)
Immersion Outreach Program (IOP)
Government Internship Program (GIP)
Anti-Alcohol and Drug Advocacy Forum for PYAP
Leadership Training and Team Building
Adolescent Sexuality and Reproductive Health Services
Peer Group Counseling
Life Skills Development Session
Referral and Counseling
Residential Care/Rehabilitation for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) thru Bahay Pag-asa:
Group Home Life Services
Individual Therapy
Family Therapy
Medical and Psychological Services
Dietary Service
Character Building and Life Skills
Education Service
Family Day
Sports, Cultural and Recreational Service
Livelihood and Productivity Training
Agro-Farming
Foster Placement/Kinship Care/Group Home
Legal Services/Advice
Spiritual and Religious Activities
Socio-Cultural Activities
After Care Services
Peer Group Counselling
Partnership with Sectoral Groups and Local Government Service Providers:
Provincial Federation of Senior Citizens Associations
Provincial Federation of Persons with Disabilities/STAND
Provincial Federation of Former Rebels
Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina
Pag-asa Youth Association Provincial Federation
Association of Municipal/City Social Welfare and Development Officers
Provincial Federation of Child Development Workers
Head of Municipal Offices for Senior Citizens Affairs
Municipal/City Population Officers Designate
Provincial, City and Municipal Persons with Disability Affairs Office
Municipal Teen Center Personnel
MAJOR SOCIAL SERVICES
CRISIS INTERVENTION UNIT
The Office of Provincial Social Welfare and Development, as the welfare arm of Misamis Occidental develops, administers and implements comprehensive social welfare programs and services designed to uplift the living conditions and improve the quality of life of distressed and disadvantaged individuals, groups, families and communities for them to become self-reliant and participating member of our society.
Pursuant to the Local Government Code of the Philippines otherwise known as the Republic Act No. 7160 which provides the devolution of Social Services and programs to Local Government Units.
Different kinds of problems range from loss of job or a family head to a problematic situation led by a sickness or death of a family member and others. For many years AICS had served hundreds of clients through the effort of the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental and networking with other government agencies and non-government organizations.
Goals:
To uplift the living condition of the poor and the needy sectors of our society by providing those opportunities needed to develop their maximum capacities for self-reliance and enable them to participate in national development.
Objectives:
To intervene on the needs of the poor and the needy through provision of social services relative to the degree of the crisis situation they are into.
To give advice and guidance to persons and families with exceptional problems to bring them back to their normal social functioning.
To make referrals to government and private agencies for further assistance to persons who need help.
These exceptionally poor individuals are the ones who need and deserves the attention of the local government units. It is for their welfare that the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program under the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development became the frontline.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Beneficiaries of AICS shall be the walk-in and referred clients of the CIUs in the cities and municipalities of Misamis Occidental. Priority shall be given, first, to beneficiaries belonging to indigent families under the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR); second, to families belonging to the informal sector and third, other poor, marginalized and vulnerable/disadvantaged individuals/families.
Financial assistance is defined as limited assistance either in cash or guarantee letters (to service providers) to individuals and families whose normal functioning has been hampered due to difficult situations brought about by dysfunctional situations that may be caused by poor health conditions, natural and man-made calamities and other crisis situations.
Assistance may be in the form of the following:
Financial and Material Assistance
Medical Assistance
Transportation Assistance
Burial
Food
d.1 Food packs
d.2 Cash
d. 2.1 Outright Cash
d. 2.2 Vouchers with monetary value
Cash Assistance for other support services
Provision of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Education Assistance
Psychosocial Intervention
Referral for Other Services
EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE & DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Legal Basis:
Declaration of Policy of Republic Act No. 8980 or known as Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Act stipulates it is hereby declared the policy of the state to promote the rights if children to survival, development and special protection with full recognition of the nature of childhood and its special needs and to support parents in their roles as primary caregivers and as their children’s first teacher. This system also promote the inclusion of children with special needs and advocate respect for cultural diversity. It shall be anchored on complimentary strategies for ECCD that include service delivery for children from conception to age six (6) educating parents and caregivers encouraging the active involvement of parents and communities in ECCD Programs, raising awareness abort the important efforts that improve the quality of life for young children and families.
Objectives of Day Care Service:
1. Physical development
2. Development of Personal Abilities
3. Ability to handle Human Relation
4. Development of Creative and Analytical Ability
5. Provision of Comfort and Safety
POPULATION PROGRAM DIVISION
In 1992 the Provincial Population Office previously under the Office of the Provincial Governor was merged to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office as Population Program Division.
The Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP) is one of the major components of the Philippine Population Management Program (PPMP) that addresses issues related to sexual and reproductive health of couples—including fertility and family planning concerns. It primarily aims to help couples realize their desired timing, spacing, and number of children, in accordance with their socio-economic, emotional and psychological capacity. Among the major concerns of the RPFP program is to contribute to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of increasing contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) and reducing the high unmet need for modern family planning (FP) in Northern Mindanao.
Population and Development (POPDEV) Integration is the Commission on Population’s broad strategy in promoting in integrating population factors and dimensions in sustainable development initiatives of the Local Government Units (LGU).
Vision:
Efficiently-planned and effectively-managed families composed of responsible and adolescents living in a gender-fair society.
Mission:
We are a vital technical and information resource agency catalyzing productive partnerships with local government policy and decision makers, program implementers, community leaders and all development institutions and organizations.
Goals:
Ensure sustainable quality development program for Responsible Parenthood, Adolescent Development, Gender and development that will enhance the competencies and strengthen the capabilities of local government units and all partners;
Enable couples to make responsible decisions to meet their actual needs for family planning and family management;
Steer the youth towards responsible citizenship;
Advance gender sensitivity and gender equality in all aspects and levels of society;
Service Pledge:
To help the Misamisnons make the best of life, we persistently promote efficient family planning and effective family management thru our Responsible Parenthood Program
With utmost consideration and respect for everyone’s spiritual, moral and economic convictions.
To ensure stronger and well-rounded succeeding generations in the province, we proactively undertake a Responsible Adolescence Program as our way of reinforcing the life planning skills of the youths.
We continually establish and carefully maintain partnership with all sectors to ascertain people participating that we believe is the ultimate determining factor of the success of the Population Management.
Core Values
Gender equality and equity
Value of children
Value of God
Value of Marriage
Value of Life
Value of Planning Family’s Future
Responsible Parenthood
Value of Family Resources
Value of Small Family Size
Major Programs:
Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning Program
Pre-marriage Counselling Program
Adolescent Development Program
Gender and Development Program
MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL BAHAY PAG-ASA
The Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental is the main funding source of this special project. Linkages with the government and non-government agencies within or outside of the province will be tapped for the full rehabilitation of the client. This is achieved through official written communication, radio and telephone communications to facilitate the referral of the agency.
SOCIAL SERVICES
It is the core service that shall be extended to the child while at the center. This involves intervention to restore the child’s social functioning. Intake assessment, Planning and Implementation of appropriate intervention are undertaken utilizing Social Case Management.
GROUP HOME LIFE SERVICES
The Center shall create and maintain a home-life atmosphere that will protect the children and provide them with opportunities for growth and development.
MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
The children at the Center shall be provided with appropriate medical and psychological assistance to ensure their physical and mental health in coordination with medical doctors and psychologist.
DIETARY SERVICE
The Center shall ensure each child gets varied balanced and nutritious foods that suit their growing needs.
CHARACTER BUILDING AND LIFE SKILLS
Empowering the children to always know and do what is right through good character, no matter what traumatic and painful their experiences may have been, will always result to best decisions that will immensely benefit them practical and lasting rewards.
SPORTS, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICE
Provide to develop the children’s interest and talents as well as divert their energies to more creative and productive physical activities such as, sports and creative arts.
LIVELIHOOD AND PRODUCTIVITY TRAINING
This shall be provided to develop not only positive attitudes, industry, productivity and work, but also develop the older client’s age appropriate technical, employable or livelihood skills.
AGRO-FARMING
Light farming activities shall also be included as part of the program component as a tool for learning, teaching and education of youth.
FOSTER PLACEMENT/KINSHIPCARE/GROUP HOME
Facilitate the identification of a more permanent alternative parental care for the child.
LEGAL SERVICES
Attend Court Hearings and coordinate with professionals extending free legal assistance.
SPIRITUAL AND RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
Participate in the Moral Recovery program such as, strict adherence to the Memo No. 16, S. 201 dated February 2, 2015 Synchronized Schedule of the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental Recovery Program.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
The BALAY PAGLAUM is a processing center and civilian facility jointly undertaken by the Provincial Government and the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) of Misamis Occidental in cooperation with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) intended to former rebels who have expressed the desire to return into the folds of the law and disengaged in armed violence. This is also called as Half Way House intended to facilitate the systematic, assessment, processing, delivery of immediate interventions, and development of individual reintegration plans of former rebels, as well as to secure their safety in a short term. It shall take into special consideration the provision of adequate facilities for women and children including those with family members whose welfare are shown to be imminent risk.
A former rebel who is eligible for admission in the Balay Paglaum is male or female regardless of age and status who voluntarily surrendered and has undergone the Custodial Debriefing by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or the Philippine National Police (PNP). He / She was a former New People’s Army (NPA) who surfaced from January 2011 onwards, as well as those who have been processed but did not receive the full assistance.
The period by which a former rebel can stay in the facility will be a minimum of one (1) month and a maximum of three (3) months while undergoing the reintegration program.
The Balay Paglaum provides comprehensive programs and services for the healing and recovery process of former rebels in order to restore their psychosocial functioning using interdisciplinary approach through collective efforts of men in uniform, social workers, agriculturists, medical practitioners, psychologists/therapists, spiritual counselors, teachers, legal officers and other field of profession who are involved for the de-radicalization and rehabilitation of former rebels to attain a peaceful environment and improved quality of life.
TARGET CLIENTELE
Former Rebels regardless of age, sex and status:
Who are members of the New People’s Army (NPA);
Who have expressed the desire not to engage in armed violence and to become productive unarmed members of their respective communities and
Who surfaced from January 2016 onwards.
VISION
Misamis Occidental a peaceful province free from insurgency and other armed conflicts where men, women and children jointly working for comprehensive peace process to attain a just and lasting peace for the nation and for the Filipinos.
MISSION
Formulate measures, strategies and develop plans for efficient and effective delivery of comprehensive local integration programs of former rebels to become productive citizens in the mainstream of society with improved quality life in a peaceful environment.
GOAL
To alleviate the insurgency incidence in Misamis Occidental and provide adequate and quality programs and services of former rebels that will restore their psychosocial functioning to become productive and peaceful Filipinos.
OBJECTIVES
To conduct assessment and diagnosis of former rebels background and circumstances and determine appropriate social interventions;
To provide appropriate programs and services using interdisciplinary approach;
To coordinate with other stakeholders for the total healing and recovery process of former rebels.
To reintegrate former rebels on their choice of communities to live in and improve their socio economic status and
To conduct monitoring upon discharge from the Balay Paglaum to determine the impact of government support to former rebels.