DSWD’s family dev’t sessions now on air

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Field Office VII expanded its media coverage reach for its Family Development Session (FDS) in partnership with the National Nutrition Council’s (NNC-7) Nutriskwela community radio stations in Central Visayas namely; Radyo Kaigsoonan in Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental; Radyo Kahimsug in Barili, Cebu; and Radyo Kalampusan in San Francisco, Cebu.

According to DSWD-7 regional information officer Leah Quintana that on March 27, the Radyo Kalampusan started its pilot airing with the Pantawid Municipal Links (MLs) in San Francisco, Cebu that discussed the FDS topic of the month, “Pinansyal nga Pagplano alang sa Hamugaway nga Pagpuyo.” The discussion was also livestreamed on its official Facebook page.

“The other two Nutriskwela community radio stations will start the FDS On-the-Air in April and DSWD-7 also partnered with DYMR Radyo Pilipinas for the monthly broadcast of FDS On-the-Air,” Quintana bared.

The Nutriskwela community radio stations is an initiative of NNC-7 to empower the community through the dissemination of correct, relevant, and up-to-date nutrition and health as well as educational and developmental information from various sectors in the community, government agencies, and non-government organizations.

FDS is one of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) conditions that gathers partner-beneficiaries once a month to discuss various development topics. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DSWD-7 looked for alternative ways in delivering the different FDS modules instead of the face-to-face FDS session.

 The new approaches are through text blast message, social media infographics posting on DSWD Region VII Facebook page, home delivery of printed materials by the Pantawid City and Municipal Links to the 4Ps beneficiaries, and the broadcast of the FDS On-the-Air together with partner television and radio stations, Quintana said.

The FDS aims to enhance the knowledge of 4Ps partner-beneficiaries for them to acquire new skills performing their parental roles and responsibilities, particularly on the health and nutrition, education, protection, and psychosocial needs of children; promote positive family values, strengthen marital relationships, and active citizenship for community empowerment among others. (Photos: DSWD7/NNC)