75T families pass poverty assessment

CEBU, Philippines - At least 75,000 families in Cebu’s first district passed the second round of evaluation in determining beneficiaries of government pro-poor programs for the third quarter of 2013.

The result would be the basis of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in knowing those who qualify for poverty alleviation programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino.

The first district of Cebu is composed of Talisay City, Minglanilla, City of Naga, San Fernando, Carcar City, and Sibonga.

Of the six, Carcar has the most number of poor households with 20,417, followed by Minglanilla (7,280); Naga (18,039); San Fernando (11,060); Sibonga (8,798); and Talisay City (9,408).

DSWD-7 Information Officer Kerwin Macopia said the second round of household assessment would identify the “poor” and “near poor” families.

Among others, households were evaluated based on their composition; highest educational attainment and occupation of members; house structure features; access to basic services or facilities like water, electricity, and sanitary toilets; assets ownership of assets; and housing tenure status.

The “Talaang Pamilyang Nangangailangan” assessment is done every four years. —/RHM (FREEMAN)