Dswd’s Convergence Framework for Poverty Reduction

DSWD’s CONVERGENCE FRAMEWORK FOR POVERTY REDUCTION

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has developed a Convergence Framework that aims to maximize the impact of its poverty reduction programs through an effective targeting system and a holistic community development approach. This Framework, also known as the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Pathway out of Poverty1, consists of the three key programs of the Department which are: Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), and Self-Employment Assistance – Kaunlaran (SEA-K).

The three-pronged poverty reduction approach of DSWD responds to the unique contexts of various segments of the poor. Sensitive to the capacities and needs of the people, each of the three programs has its own strategies and outputs. In every stage of development, both public and private sectors have identified their contributions for the improvement of the beneficiaries’ well being.

The first component aims to secure the chronic poor through protective social services. The DSWD extends social welfare services to the most vulnerable sectors of the poor. In addition, DSWD provides assistance for education and health services through the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program, also known as 4Ps. To complement the CCT, microfinance institutions enhance the capacities of the beneficiaries through financial literacy programs and increase their security levels through microinsurance and savings facilities. Private sector partners deliver these programs to the beneficiaries through Mutual Benefit Associations (MBAs).

The second component seeks to improve the financial access of the transitional poor through direct support to communities for local development. The key program that responds to the needs of the transitional poor is the community driven development (CDD), also known as KALAHI-CIDSS. As the 4Ps program...