The Regional Social Development Committee (RSDC-CAR) tackled various social development concerns in the region focusing on the status of the unmet needs and plight of the vulnerable sectors during its 4th quarter meeting on November 15, 2022, in Baguio City.
The RSDC took action to address the problems ensuring that PPAs are on track of their implementation. To begin with, Committee Vice-Chair and NEDA Regional Director (RD) Susan A. Sumbeling secured support for the passage of the Magna Carta of Daycare Workers which shall provide minimum benefits to child development workers. “With this, the workers could ensure the best care and attention to every early childhood learner in the barangays,” she said. This will subsequently be presented in the upcoming RDC meeting on December 9.
Dir. Sumbeling also pressed for the sustainable implementation of the Social Protection Program for Adolescent Mothers and Children (SPPAMC) after its initial rollout in the provinces, cities, and municipalities.
On Health concerns, RD Rio Magpantay of DOH will partner with LGUs to convince parents to get their children vaccinated.
On Social Protection concerns, Assistant RD Amelyn Cabrera of DSWD will conduct an intensive IEC and advocacy on the rights and women with the observance of the 18-day campaign to end violence against women, starting November 25.
On Housing, RD Maria Amoroso of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development shall prioritize technical assistance to local government units with high homeless families.
On Education, CHED along with TESDA and DepEd will also conduct IEC and advocacy celebrating Education Week on December 12-16 through a kapihan tackling scholarships and grants for faculty and technical-vocational students. “This is to lure students to return to school, especially that by next year, face-to-face classroom setup will be fully implemented,” CHED representative Ms. Menzie Kuengan announced.
The private sector representatives likewise proposed some interventions such as using the five percent GAD fund among state universities and colleges and the establishment of a comprehensive database for PWDs to enable them to access government programs since no agency maintains a unified record.
The meeting was presided over by Mr. Arnel Cabanisas, Committee Co-Chair and PSR for Social Development. Mayor Joseph Sto. Niño B. Bernos of La Paz, Abra, also the National President of the League of Municipalities was recently appointed as the Committee Chair by RDC Chair and Apayao Gov. Elias C. Bulut, Jr.