The Regional Program Management Office 7 has initiated a half-day municipal orientation in Pinamungajan, Cebu, on Thursday, March 20, 2025, to foster awareness of the Pag-Abot program and the KALAHI-CIDSS project among the local leaders and stakeholders.
Pinamungajan is one of only two local government units (LGUs) in Cebu implementing the Pag-Abot program alongside Talisay City.
The Pag-Abot Program is one of the flagship programs aimed at providing support to vulnerable individuals, children, and families who are facing homelessness or living on the streets.
Thursday’s orientation also served as a platform to present the capacity assessment results for Pinamungajan. Among the attendees was Pag-Abot beneficiary Jonathan Francisco, 72, who shared his experience with the program. Other participants included representatives from DSWD-7, area and municipal coordinating teams, and the LGU, including department heads, Sangguniang Bayan members, and barangay officials.
Orientation and capacity assessment
Joelito Yana, Community Development Officer III, presented an overview of the KALAHI-CIDSS and the Pag-Abot program, including the roles and functions of the parties involved, particularly the municipal and barangay LGUs.
Moreover, Alejandre Antojado, area coordinator for Pinamungajan, presented the results of a capacity assessment conducted for Pinamungajan.
He said they based the LGU evaluation on various factors, including transparency.
He said that based on the evaluation’s results, the LGU of Pinamungajan complies with the Full Disclosure Policy and has implemented mechanisms and activities further promoting transparency.
He added that financial and procurement documents are readily available and provided by the LGU upon request.
Pag-Abot beneficiary
Meanwhile, Jonathan Francisco, a 72-year-old native of Pinamungajan, Cebu, a Pag-Abot beneficiary, joined the orientation and shared his experience with the program’s predecessor, the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program (BP2P).
Francisco initially traveled to Manila in 2017 with his family to seek medical assistance and treatment; however, life circumstances led them to stay there even after his angioplasty.
In 2024, he and his family received assistance from the DSWD through the Balik Probinsya Program, enabling them to return to Pinamungajan permanently.
Under the BP2P, he, his wife, and their three children received free transportation and travel allowance from Manila to Pinamungajan. Their family will also receive livelihood assistance under the Pag-Abot program, which he plans to use to start his malunggay pandesal cart business.
He recalled how he first learned about the program and its support, including livelihood opportunities that could help him regain stability.
“Mas maayo diri, kay (didto) sa Manila, ga-abang mi, unya pressured…ug mas nindot ang environment diri (It’s better here because back in Manila, we were renting and felt pressured… and the environment here is much nicer),” he said.
“The government is very responsive to the needs of the people, and I believe God uses human agencies to give His blessings,” he added. ###
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