CH institutionalizes policy on 4Ps family development program

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has institutionalized the Family Development Session (FDS) which is identified as one of the conditionalities of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Mayor Tomas Osmeña issued Executive No. 42 for the institutionalization of the Cebu City FDS Team that will fulfill the family development thrust of the 4Ps.

“The members of the Family Development Session Team shall conduct a meeting that is suitable and relevant to the needs of the family, the youth and the community,” read portion of the order issued on November 27.

Osmeña ordered the conduct of session more than two hours once a month.

The team is composed of officials from the Department of Social Welfare Services, Cebu City Health Department, Department of Education, Cebu City Agriculture Department, Department of Manpower Development and Placement, Department of Planning and Development, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor, Department of Engineering and Public Works, and Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.

Other members include Cebu City Police Office, Cebu City Operation Second Chance, Cebu City Legal Office, Civil Society Organizations, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Parent Leaders, and Department of Social Welfare and Development –Cebu City Action Team.

Among the responsibilities and duties of the FDS team include the conduct of home visit of households of 4Ps beneficiaries and discuss problems like vices, abuse, misuse of grants, and non-compliance to conditions of the programs.

Once FDS team found non-compliant households, Osmeña said they should refer to DSWS for counseling and appropriate interventions.

The FDS team should also coordinate with the parent leaders in the conduct of the preparatory activities and information dissemination to all members.

It should also provide technical support, such as trainings and seminars to parent leaders and potential resource person in the conduct of the session.

Osmeña said the FDS team should also coordinate with the barangay.

It was last year when Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 encouraged all local government units to make a policy on 4Ps family development program.

This program requires beneficiaries to attend the monthly sessions otherwise they would lose the privilege of being 4Ps beneficiaries.  —/KBQ (FREEMAN)