The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) highlighted its flagship social protection programs during the technical discussion of the Philippine study tour of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (MLSP) of the government of Mongolia.

In her message, DSWD Undersecretary for National Household Targeting System (NHTS) and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Vilma Cabrera told the Mongolian delegation the agency is honored to host the study visit that provides a great opportunity for both countries to share insights on implementing social protection programs and services.

“Your presence here signifies the strong bond between our nations and the mutual desire for knowledge sharing and understanding to improve the lives and well-being of our respective people,” Undersecretary Cabrera said as she led the DSWD team during the discussions held on Tuesday (February 13) at the DSWD Central Office.

The study tour was requested by the Mongolian government through the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with the aim of having a learning dialogue and knowledge-sharing sessions with the country’s lead social protection agency, particularly on DSWD’s experiences in social protection.

Particularly, the Mongolian government is interested in understanding the DSWD’s 4Ps implementation and its interface with the graduation approach which can be very insightful for them.

“Over the course of your visit, you will have the opportunity to explore our flagship programs, or what we call here 4Ps, the biggest government’s conditional cash transfers that are provided to 4.4 million Filipino households,” Usec. Cabrera pointed out.

The DSWD team presented to the Mongolian delegation the agency’s major programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the Department’s flagship program for poverty reduction; the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction which provides a standard targeting system for poor households; the Food Stamp Program (FSP) geared at mitigating involuntary hunger; and the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

“On the other hand, the SLP is a capacity-building program that provides access to opportunities to increase the productivity of the livelihood assets of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized communities, helping them improve their socio-economic well-being,” Usec. Cabrera explained.

For its part, the Mongolian delegation provided DSWD officials with valuable insights and lessons learned in the implementation of their Food Stamp Program which will be very helpful for the agency as it is currently scaling up the FSP in the targeted pilot areas.

“We also thank everyone for choosing our country to share your experiences and expertise in the Mongolian Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, as we are willing also to share our insights into the different social protection programs,” USec. Cabrera said.

As part of the study tour, the Mongolian delegation will also visit 4Ps and SLP sites in Iloilo to facilitate a more immersive and deeper understanding of the DSWD’s program implementation and achievements.

The Mongolian delegation headed by MLSP-Social Welfare Policy Implementation and Coordination Department Director Undral Bold is composed of social protection staff that include Social Insurance Department Senior Expert on Occupational Safety and Health Legislation, Agreements, and Conventions Tsevelmaa Jigjid; Policy and Planning Department Senior Specialist for Policy and Planning  Chinmandakh Dukhlaibaatar; Public Administration and Management Department Senior Specialist in charge of Cooperation with International Organizations Tungalag Jargalsaikhan.

Also representing the Mongolian government were General Office of Labor and Social Welfare (GOLSW) – Department of Social Welfare Services  Director Chimegsuren Altangerel; 24th khoroo of the Bayanzurkh District Governor Batsukh Nyamaa; and Ulaanbaatar City Songinokhairkhan District Deputy Governor Undarmaa Dashdaraa.

The ADB team which arranged the tour is composed of the following: Office of the Director General – East Asia Department Advisor Kelly Bird; East Asia Department Senior Social Sector Officer Itgel Lonjid; Human and Social Development Sector Office – Sectors Group Social Sector Specialist Amir Hamza Jilani; Sectors Group Social Development Specialist, Palak Rawal; ADB Consultant Joven Valenzuela, Jr.; and ADB Consultant Fatima Angela Marifosque.

USec. Cabrera was joined by Undersecretary for Standards and Capacity  Building Group (SCBG) Denise Fb Bernos Bragas; Assistant Secretary for NHTS and 4Ps Marites Maristela; 4Ps National Program Management Office (4Ps-NPMO) Director and National Program Manager Gemma B. Gabuya; Sustainable Livelihood Program Director Edmon B. Monteverde; Policy Development and Planning Bureau (PDPB) Director Rhodora G. Alday; Social Welfare Institutional Development Bureau (SWIDB) Director IV Justin Caesar Anthony Batocabe; and SWIDB Assistant Bureau Director Edna J. Sacedor.

The Mongolian study tour to the Philippines started on February 12 and will culminate on February 17.  #