A Framework for Citizen Engagement in the Department of Social Welfare

and Development
Citizen engagement in the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is
anchored on a commitment to poverty reduction and people empowerment. A
memorandum order was issued in 2012 (Memorandum Circular 7 s. 2012) that
provided the framework for expanded participation through four types of partnership
called Gabay, Tulay, Kaagapay, and Bantay8.
Bantay is a partnership type between DSWD and organizations on projects and
activities geared towards improving the department’s transparency and
accountability. This includes the citizens monitoring activities related to the
Department’s implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program and
KALAHI-CIDSS.
Gabay is a partnership between DSWD and individuals and organizations that
provide technical assistance to the department in improving its processes and
systems. This would include developing new social technologies such as microcredit practices by micro-
finance groups.
Kaagapay is a partnership with individuals and organizations that co-implement
proverty reduction and capacity building programs with DSWD. This includes
activities such as Family Development Sessions of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries
and those under Sustainable Livelihood Program and Disaster Risk Reduction
Management (DRRM), such as job generation activities facilitated by the Philippine
Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Association of Foundations (AF), Chamber of
Commerce, Leage of Corporate Foundations, and the Rotary Club for the SLP; relief
operations, distribution of relief packs, stress debriefing, psycho-social services that
involve civil society groups and individual volunteers.
Tulay is a partnership with organizations that facilitates public consultation and
feedback on the different services and programs of DSWD. An example of this is the
CSO Caravan that toured the regions to inform the public on the Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program and its convergence with other related DSWD
programs.

The four partnership types are currently being redesigned to expand institutional
spaces for citizen engagement through greater synergetic relations. Also the
partnership relations are redefined to bring more focus on the the department’s
relations with the public under a social accountability lens (see Figure 1).
The DSWD relates to the public through its dispensation of policies and services. The
policies include among others rules, regulations, guidelines, procedures, and
technologies that define how the department and its partners deliver social welfare
services to the public. The department’s experience in the delivery of services and how
the public reacts to these generate
Figure 1: Social Accountability and Engagement Framework
information that are fed back towards the revision of policies or formulation of new
ones.
The department’s engagement with partners helps strengthen the department’s
accountability to the public through the convergence of Bantay-Gabay-Tulay-Kaagapay
functions. The synergies of these roles lends a holistic review of the department’s
services and policies.
Under the partnership typologies prescribed under the memorandum on partnership
with CSOs, the Bantay, Kaagapay, and Tulay partners provide feedback about the
department’s social welfare programs and services. Information on the department’s
programs and services could translate up to policy and technology changes through
Tulay partners and carried out by DSWD with Gabay partners.
This model of engagement creates opportunities for partners to have their voices heard
on all levels of social welfare and development work thus helping nourish people’s
A. Gregorio-Medel/10.10.14 11
empowerment. The spaces for participation maximizes citizen’s engagement and should
be able to provide different opportunities for relief.
Supporting these formally established institutions for citizen engagement are the
department’s internal efforts to build a culture that embraces citizen engagement.
“Citizen Engagement” learning sessions are organized to develop a deeper, personalized
understanding of the democratic values that support citizen engagement among the
department’s staff.
In conclusion, it must be underscored that formal and informal institutions are greatly
shaped by patterns of citizens and government action in policy making and decision
making. In turn these actions are shaped jointly by the constraints, incentives, and
resources provided by the very same formal and informal institutions, which can be
more or less compatible with each other.
Citizen engagement is greatly shaped by the interaction of synergistic and substitutive
effects of formal and informal institutions.

Isabela PDRRMC creates clusters to level-up disaster response

REPORTfrom Government of the Philippines Published on 18 Jul 2019 —View Original
By Merlito G. Edale, Jr.

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela, July 18 (PIA) -- The provincial government here, through its Provincial Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), recently created different clusters with detailed
duties to strengthen its system for disaster response.

During the 3rd quarter special meeting and post-disaster assessment in the aftermath of Tropical
Depression Falcon, OIC PDRRM Officer Basilio Dumlao said the response clustering aimed to effectively
manage various government agencies in the execution of their respective response activities.

The clusters are the following:

Telecommunication and warning cluster is led by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Office (PDRRO) and the Provincial Information Office (PIO) while its members include all
the member-agencies of the PDRRMC.

Food and Non-food items cluster is headed by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office
(PSWDO) while its members are PDRRMO, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, 5th Infantry Division,
Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, DPWH, Prov’l Budget Office, Prov’l Treasury Office,
Department of Trade and Industry, and Philippine Red Cross.

Evacuation/Camp management cluster is headed by the PSWDO while its members include the
PDRRMO, Prov’l Veterinary Office, 5ID, PA, PNP, DepEd and Public Safety Office.
Medical and Health cluster is headed by the Isabela Provincial Health Office while its members are Prov’l
Budget Office, Prov’l Treasury Office, Prov’l Veterinary Office, Provincial Health Care Office, and PRC-
Isabela.

Security and Public Safety cluster is headed by the PNP while its members are Public Order and Safety
Office, 5ID, PA, PNP, BFP and Isabela Volunteers Against Crime.

Transportation cluster is headed by the General Services Office while its members are Prov’l Eng’g
Office, DPWH, 5ID, PA, PEO and PNP.

Search, Rescue and Retrieval cluster is led by the PDRRMO and DART 831 while its members are PNP,
AFP, PNP, BFP, PAF and GSO.

Engineering and restoration cluster is led by the Prov’l Eng’g Office while its members are GSO, PBO,
PTO, ISELCO, AFP, DPWH, and Isabela Env’t and Natural Resources Office.

Water Sanitation Cluster is led by IPHO while its members are PSWDO, PDRRMO and Red Cross

Logistics cluster is headed by GSO while its members include OPE, PBO, PTO and PDRMMO

Education cluster is headed by the Department of Education.

Management of the Dead Cluster is led by the DILG.

Dumlao said they are still identifying member-agencies under the education and the management of the
dead clusters.

He further said that they are now finalizing the particular duties and responsibilities of the
different disaster response clusters which will become the standard operating procedure
for all PDRRMC member-agencies and institutions in the province. (ALM/MGE/PIA-

2/Isabela) Programs
Health in Disaster and Emergency
This program focuses in reducing the impact of emergencies and disaster. PRC
supports the government in health issues of national concerns through community-
based surveillance and epidemic control by Red Cross 143 Community Health
Volunteers (CHV). Emergency response involves deployment of emergency medical
teams equipped with the modern capability to deploy field hospitals and basic health
care units partnered with key hospitals and professional medical organizations.
Primary Health Care
This program aims to create healthy, safe and resilient communities through
community-based activities that ensure continuity of care across lifespan. This is
achieved through the implementation of Community-based Health and First Aid
(CBFHA) approach in the most vulnerable communities. The strategy brings health
services closer to the community by mobilizing RC143 CHV to initiate health promotion
and diseases prevention and activities and targeted health programming.

Red Cross 143 Program

Red Cross 143 is a community-based volunteering program of the Philippine Red Cross
where one leader and a minimum of forty three (43) members form part of an active
corps of capable, caring, and committed individuals. RC 143 promotes a culture of self-
help in the communities by developing a formidable network of Red Cross volunteers
who will predict potential risk, plan, prepare, and practice for effective community based
disaster risk reduction.

About
Red Cross 143 aims to promote a culture of self-help in schools, workplaces, and
communities by developing a formidable network of Red Cross volunteers who will
prepare for disasters and respond rapidly to emergencies. Red Cross 143 was created
to build community resilience where Red Cross 143 volunteers serve as the eyes, ears,
hands, and feet of the Philippine Red Cross. Red Cross 143 is composed of one leader
and a minimum number of 43 members who make 44 volunteers on site and who will
“take charge” and be the first to predict, plan, prepare, practice, report, and respond.

FAQs
AMID THE declaration of dengue outbreak in Iloilo, Aklan, Cavite, Leyte, and South Cotabato,
the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) assures the public that it has adequate blood supply for dengue
patients.
Chairman Richard Gordon said PRC, through its 93 blood service facilities nationwide, is
working double-time to ensure the availability of blood supply, especially plasma and
cryoprecipitate, which are used to prevent hemorrhagic complications associated with dengue.

“We keep track of the supplies in all our blood facilities in the country. In the event, the blood
supply in a specific facility drops to a critical level, we will know immediately which nearby
facility can provide additional products,” Gordon said.

PRC National Blood Services recently shipped a total of 165 units of frozen blood products to
augment the supply in Iloilo and Aklan.

Aside from blood, PRC is also in the forefront of managing the dengue crisis as it deployed eight
sets of emergency medical tents in Western Visayas Region.

PRC set up two of the deployed hospital tents, with a total bed capacity of 40, in Jesus M.
Colmenares District Hospital in Balasan, Iloilo, which is currently accommodating over 250
patients against its actual bed capacity of 25.

The medical unit in Balasan has now served to 38 patients. The humanitarian organization is also
preparing to set up more medical tents in Aklan, Capiz, and Guimaras.

Data from the Department of Health shows that the dengue crisis has affected 115,986
individuals this year.

“We have started to fill the gaps in the dengue outbreak response, but we have no plans to slow
down. Much needs to be done to protect people’s lives. There is a need for a fast and consistent
response,” Gordon said.

“Red Cross 143 volunteers are alerted to initiate community cleanup drives. As our eyes and ears
on the ground, they are also tasked to report more cases of congestion of hospitals in their areas.”

Red Cross deploys medical

tents to dengue-stricken Iloilo
W ritten by Angeli Mae CANTILLANA on July 20, 2019. Posted in News and
Events. Leave a Comment
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard Gordon ordered the immediate deployment of
emergency medical tents to assist in the overflow of patients in Iloilo due to rising dengue cases
at the request of Department of Health (DOH).

Earlier this week, Gordon received a request from DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III to
support the government’s efforts to address the rising health concern, especially in Western
Visayas, where an outbreak has been declared.

Four sets of emergency medical tents were deployed from PRC warehouse in Subic and expected
to arrive in Iloilo via ferry on Saturday, while another four sets will be deployed via C130 on
Sunday.

“PRC’s medical tents will help decongest the overloaded wards and provide comfort to the
patients and their families. Similar to how we addressed the measles crisis earlier this year, we
will continue to work with DOH to identify and fill the needs in the most affected communities,”
Gordon said.

He added that PRC is ready to deploy more tents in Western Visayas if the need arises.
Aside from deploying medical tents, PRC also ensures availability of blood supply for dengue
patients in its blood center in Iloilo and nearby blood service facilities. PRC ambulances and
welfare desks are also ready.

PRC’s community health volunteers also intensified its information dissemination drives to
encourage Filipino families to do the 4S of dengue prevention—search and destroy, self-protect,
seek early consultation, and say yes to fogging.

“Dengue destruction should be done before it started. Let’s observe proper personal hygiene and
keep our surroundings clean to steer away from these diseases,” Gordon added.

Red Cross eyes first aiders in

every household this Nat’l CPR
Day
W ritten by Angeli Mae CANTILLANA on July 17, 2019. Posted in News and
Events. Leave a Comment
IN CASE of a sudden cardiac arrest at home, at work, or in a public place, do you know what to
do?

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is set to mobilize its staff and volunteers to conduct a mass
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) demonstration to equip Filipino families with this life-
saving skill.

For this month, PRC will go to schools, offices, and public places to teach Filipinos how to
conduct a hands-only CPR to mark the National CPR Day, on July 17, in cooperation with the
Department of Health, the Philippine Heart Association, and the American Heart Association.

PRC Chairman Richard Gordon said the mass CPR demonstration is a preliminary effort to
strengthen its call to have one first aider in every household and workplace.

“We have our volunteers nationwide, but no first responder can respond as quickly as a neighbor,
a family member, and a co-worker. When that person knows first aid, further injuries and loss of
lives can be averted,” Gordon said.
PRC has identified over 110 locations, which include schools, companies, and parks. PRC also
tapped athletic leagues to perform whole CPR cycle.

The mass CPR campaign was conducted to maximize the Republic Act No. 10871 or the “Basic
Life Support Training Schools Act,” which requires basic education students to undergo age-
appropriate basic life-saving training.

PRC, as the leading first aid provider in the country, offers a wide range of first aid and basic life
support training courses, including standard first and basic life support for all ages, occupational
first aid and basic life support, emergency first aid, junior first aid, and water safety programs.

PRC warns against

leptospirosis, dengue this
monsoon season
W ritten by Angeli Mae CANTILLANA on July 11, 2019. Posted in News and
Events. Leave a Comment
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) intensified its information campaign concerning health
problems to protect the people and the community from waterborne diseases, influenza,
leptospirosis, and dengue these monsoon months.

PRC is reminding everyone to take extra precautions as this is the high-risk period during which
infectious diseases spread easily. Communication materials, house to house visits and health
seminars are part of the awareness campaign of the Red Cross.

“PRC’s 104 Chapters are all set, as are the staff and volunteers to organize health campaigns to
raise awareness of the health hazards brought by the rainy season. These campaigns are always
done in coordination with the local health centers and offices,” PRC Chairman Richard Gordon
said.

The Red Cross’ pool of community volunteers, known as 143 volunteers, are tasked to report
directly to the chapters in case of verified outbreaks.

The PRC has sufficient supply of blood in its 93 blood centers nationwide to cater to the people
in case there will be an outbreak of dengue, leptospirosis, or other health concerns.
Residents are encouraged to clean their surroundings especially possible breeding places of
mosquitoes to avoid being infected with dengue virus. Suspected dengue symptoms are: high
fever (40 degrees Celsius / 104 degrees Fahrenheit), skin rashes, severe headache, muscle and
joint pains, nausea, and swollen glands. The next 24-48 hours with these symptoms are fatal.
Proper medical care and attention are needed to avoid complications and death.

Leptospirosis can enter the body through open wounds, the eyes, or mucous membranes.
Humans become infected through direct contact from the urine of infected animals like rodents.
Symptoms are high fever, chills, headache, jaundice, diarrhea, fatigue, sore throat, joint and
muscle pains, rashes, reddish eyes, and abdominal pains to Weil’s disease with organ
dysfunction. Immediate medical attention is advised. People wading through flood waters are at
a high risk of contracting this disease.

The general public is urged not to swim or dabble in flood water, use protection like umbrellas,
raincoats, boots and gloves, boil tap water before drinking, drink fruit juices and plenty of water,
get enough sleep and drink vitamin C to boost the immune system. It is also advisable to wear
pajamas, long pants and long sleeves to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Strong insect-repellant
lotion should also be applied to keep mosquitoes away.

“Let’s observe proper personal hygiene and keep our surroundings clean to steer away from
these diseases,” added Gordon.

PRC is noted for its excellence in providing blood as well as safety, health, welfare, disaster
management and other humanitarian services.

For emergencies, contact our 24/7 Operations Center. Dial 143 or 790-23-00 for assistance.

Gordon urges businesses to

have trained first aiders in
workplaces
W ritten by Angeli Mae CANTILLANA on July 2, 2019. Posted in News and
Events. Leave a Comment
FOLLOWING the recent cases of preventable casualties and injuries in workplaces, Philippine
Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard Gordon reminded all business establishments to have
trained first aiders who will look after the safety of their employees.

Gordon expressed concern over the alleged absence of trained first aiders and ambulance when
veteran actor Eddie Garcia got into an incident during shooting.

He added that the incident is a call for business owners to follow the provisions under the
Republic Act (RA) 11058 or the “Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational, Safety and
Health (OSH) Standards,” which mandates business owners to have workers undertake first aid
training from PRC or any recognized organization.

“There could have been better chances of survival if Eddie’s case was handled properly. There
should be a schooled way of saving lives whenever such preventable incident happened. The Red
Cross is calling on companies, regardless of size and industries, to have trained first aiders in
every establishment,” Gordon said.

In Garcia’s case, a trained individual could have immediately assessed whether he was conscious
or unconscious, as well as confirmed if it was cardiac arrest. Moreover, somebody could have
assessed possible injuries and call appropriate help.

The proper way of handling such cases is to identify if there is a reason to suspect spine injury.
Then, the first aider should prevent the movement of the head and neck of the patient by
manually stabilizing and applying cervical collar. This could prevent worsening of injury until an
ambulance arrives. Signs of life must also be monitored.

The Red Cross offers first aid training designed to meet the needs of companies and
communities, including standard first aid and basic life support, occupational first aid,
emergency first aid, junior first aid, and water safety.

PRC, with its fleet of 150 ambulances and thousands of trained first aiders, could also be tapped
to provide on-site first aid and emergency services, including mass gatherings, sporting events,
and festivals.

PRC is also calling on homeowners’ associations to cond