About 136 households coming from two indigenous communities of Bohol have successfully joined the series of Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) family camps spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII.
The series of MCCT family camps took place at Mercedarian Retreat House in Dauis, Bohol last February 17-19, March 2-4, 8-10 and 16-18 were attended by the Sama-Bajaus of Dauis and the Atis of Loay.
Each batch of family camp runs for three days and is full of fun-filled learning activities where participants, especially the parents or guardians, are expected to know the different concepts and functions of a family, the rights of the child and how to promote acceptance in the family and its members including their corresponding responsibilities, how to strengthen family ties to build memorable experience among family members.
DSWD-7 regional director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre bared that the family camp provides a venue to help create support systems and build camaraderie among the parents/guardians who are from the same community while the younger siblings will have the chance to play games and enjoy art workshops that will fit with their age level.
“With this opportunity, we hope that the families may come to realize the importance of each member, the purpose of teamwork and unity, and appreciation of the real essence of the family despite the formidable life challenges,” she stressed.
Macapobre is optimistic that the family camp will help reduce the pressing problem involving indigenous people in compliment with DSWD’s implementation of the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT).
MCCT covers poor families who were not included in the regular implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program because of their mobile lifestyle and indefinite residence.
The MCCT provides assistance to the homeless street families, families in need of special protection and indigenous families, which are not limited to education and health grants, but also include safe and responsive housing assistance with access to social services and economic opportunities for the improvement of their living conditions.
The families under the MCCT will also receive monthly cash grants for health, education provided that they comply with the modified conditionalities that includes attendance to Family Development Sessions.
Also, each family participant were given hygiene kits, food packs and financial assistance to compensate their daily income.
Meanwhile, Celma and Boyeth Malali together with their children were among the participants of the MCCT family camp.
The couple shared that it was their first time to sleep in a comfortable bed.
“Lipay mga bata humok ang higdaanan, sige lang ambak-ambak. (My children were happy because the bed was soft and they keep on jumping)”, grinning Celma shared.
The Malali’s are Badjau partner-beneficiary from Barangay Totolan, Dauis, Bohol.
They received their first MCCT cash grant last month.
“Nalipay ko kay nakapalit ko bagong bag sa akong anak ug sapatos. (I was very happy because I was able to buy new shoes and bag for my children),” she said. ###
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