TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the region conducted a pre-deployment orientation on May 14 for tutors and youth development workers (YDW) under the Tara Basa! program, a community-based initiative aimed at improving literacy among learners from low-income communities and empowering their families.
The orientation, held ahead of the program’s official implementation from May 19 to June 14, 2025, gathered participants from Tacloban City and the towns of Basey, Sta. Rita, and Marabut, all in Samar. Attendees included school heads, partner agencies, and youth volunteers.
Participants were briefed on program policies, roles and responsibilities, and monitoring protocols to ensure the readiness of tutors and YDWs for the month-long deployment.
Sherlita Palma, officer-in-charge superintendent of the Tacloban City schools division, welcomed the attendees and stressed the importance of responsibility and teamwork.
“Our school heads are present today so they’ll know what to monitor during your deployment. Your performance reflects our performance,” she said.
A major focus of the orientation was the DSWD’s cash-for-work scheme. Under this component, beneficiaries are required to render 20 days of service to receive full compensation based on the regional minimum wage. Attendance will be strictly monitored under a “no work, no pay” policy, with daily time records (DTRs) and accomplishment reports required—submissions must be clean, without erasures.
DSWD Regional Director Grace Subong reminded participants of the deeper purpose behind the initiative.
“It’s more than the stipend you will receive. It’s about the experience and the support you’re giving to our learners. That’s your main objective,” she said.
Also part of the orientation was a session on the Department of Education’s Child Protection Policy, facilitated by DepEd Tacloban Education Program Supervisor Gretel Laura Cadiong.
To help ease the financial burden on participants, the DSWD announced it would fast-track the release of a five-day advance payment at the start of the deployment, ensuring smoother implementation of the program.
Tara Basa! is a collaborative effort of the DSWD, Department of Education (DepEd), and state universities and colleges (SUCs). Throughout the program’s implementation, DSWD community coordinators will be deployed in the field to monitor progress and provide administrative support.
The Tara Basa! program aims not only to boost the academic performance of struggling learners but also to strengthen community involvement and provide economic assistance to participating students and their families.
(SHYNNA MAE SESBREÑO, LNU Student Intern)
