A TOTAL of 136 households from the two indigenous communities in Bohol have participated in a series of Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) family camps spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD 7).
The series of MCCT family camps that took place at Mercedarian Retreat House in Dauis, Bohol last Feb. 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 highlighted fun-filled learning activities where participants, especially the parents or guardians, were taught about the different concepts and functions of a family, the rights of the child and how to promote acceptance in the family, and how to strengthen family ties among family members.
DSWD 7 Regional Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre said the family camp provided a venue for parents or guardians to help create support systems and build camaraderie among themselves and for the younger siblings to play games and enjoy art workshops.
“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 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.
Also, each family participant was given hygiene kits, food packs and financial assistance to compensate their daily income.
Boyeth and Celma 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 ang mga bata nga humok ang higdaanan, sige lag ambak-ambak (My children were happy because the bed was soft and they kept on jumping),” Celma shared.
The Malalis are Badjau partner-beneficiary from Barangay Totolan, Dauis.
They received their first MCCT cash grant last month.
“Nalipay ko kay nakapalit kog bag-ong 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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