[ KKPP DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 21, S. 1995, July 19, 1995 ]

IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES OF SULONG DUNONG PROJECT PARA SA KABATAAN 2000



The following policies and procedures are hereby approved for compliance of all concerned DSWD Field Offices and City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices relative to the implementation of the above mentioned project.

I.

Rationale:


The development of youth in the Philippines assumes greater significance in this crucial stage of our social and political life. Due to a burgeoning population, problems of the youth and their families are presently exacerbated by economic and social problems.

The survey of the National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC) in 1988 and the 1989 functional literacy, Education and Mass Media (FLEMMNS) survey showed that in 1988 the total youth who were not enrolled from the 15 to 24 age group accounted for a large 85.01% or 5,598,925 of the 5.5 million youth, by 1989, the number of OSYs aged 15 to 24 rose to 2,024,664 which registered an increase of 5.39% from the previous year.

Unfortunately, many of the children and youth today, leave the formal school system, barely literate to function minimally in society, much less skilled to participate in the mainstream of economic and social life.

The situation is further aggravated considering that the youth are vulnerable to social problems which may arise from being an out-of-school youth, e.g. delinquency or other social deviance such as alcoholism, drug abuse and violence or crime. Although many youth are desirous to improve their living conditions through engaging in productive pursuits but are prevented from pursuing such aspiration due to economic or material constraints. Given these conditions, it is evident that more attention must be given to the preparation of the youth to enable them to engage in gainful employment, thereby contributing to national recovery efforts. The shortage of employment opportunities such as jobs and training, has severely restricted opportunities towards contributing to national productivity and has given rise to various social problems.

In view of these, several government agencies and non-government organizations provide services for the youth in addressing certain problems of the youth sector, However, there continues to be a felt need to develop a scheme that will reach out to more out-of-school youth. It is in this light that Sulong-Dunong Para sa Kabataan 2000 was conceptualized which seeks to provide opportunities to qualified youth to undertake livelihood and relevant training courses available in their respective communities.

Moreover, the Sulong-Dunong project is a strategy to support the attainment of the goals of Kabataan 2000. Executive Order No. 176 or National Youth Development Plan (NYDP) gives emphasis on the vital participation in nation building.

II.

Objectives

General: To promote the total development of the out-of-school youth (OSY) to realize their potentials and capabilities and become economically productive, self-reliant and socially responsible citizens.

Specific:

1. To provide opportunities for the OSY to pursue appropriate and relevant skills development and training projects in preparation for open and self employment ventures;

2. To enable the OSY to earn and improve themselves economically and at the same time acquire basic skills in managing small-scale business enterprises.

3. To enhance the creativity and innovativeness of the OSY thru the application of appropriate technology and resources.

III.

Description of the Project


Sulong-Dunong is a service provided to the out-of-school (OSY) working youth and other youth with special needs such as youth offenders, transnational youth, abandoned, abused and exploited by creating employment opportunities thru feasible livelihood projects and pursuing appropriate and relevant training activities either community based or in established technical or vocational schools.

IV.

Project Components:


The Project will have the following components:

A. Services

1. Livelihood Assistance

Provision of capital assistance to out of-school youth either for individual or group projects to undertake an income generating project to enable them to earn.

2. Practical Skills Development

Provision of financial assistance for tuition and basic training materials of OSY trainees who will undertake community-based training or enroll in technical or vocational courses in established schools or institutions.

3. Educational Assistance

Provision of financial assistance for tuition and other supplies and materials needed by OSYs who will study in public or private schools to complete high school education to qualify them for technical or vocational training.

B. Monitoring and Evaluation

Provision of regular monitoring and evaluation activities to the DSWD Field Offices by the Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare to determine the extent of implementation, maintenance of close coordination and continuous provision of technical assistance.

V.

Eligibility Criteria:


The Sulong-Dunong project shall be available to the youth:

1. Who are out-of-school, single and preferably a PYM member;

2. Youth with special needs such as working youth, youth offenders, transnational youth, abandoned, abused and exploited;

3. Must be between 13 to 24 years old;

4. Whose family income falls below poverty threshold or its monthly income is below 3,675.00

5. Who have demonstrated leadership and positive working relationship with others including PYM activities.

6. Who have showed interest and willingness to undertake the Sulong-Dunong project.

VI

Basic Policies and Procedures


1. General Policies

1.1   The Sulong-Dunong Project shall be implemented in the 14 DSWD Field Offices particularly in the identified 25 Most Depressed barangay (MOPs) where there is high incidence of out-of-school youth. However, identification of areas shall not necessarily be in the same municipality or barangay where Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services (CIDSS) is being implemented.

1.2   The recruitment of OSYs and other youth shall be undertaken by the direct service workers or the Municipal or City Social Welfare Development Office from among the OSY preferably from the active PYM groups in the area, and other clients such as working youth, youth with special needs such as youth offenders, transnational youth, abandoned, abused and exploited.

1.3   The DSWD Field Office shall determine the qualification of the applicants based on eligibility criteria and other supporting documents submitted by C/MSWDO. Group roster form of OSYs shall be submitted to Field Office as supporting document and Social Case Study Report (SCSR) in the case of youth with special needs.

2. Project proposals shall be submitted by the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office to the DSWD Field Office as basis for disbursement or release of funds to the applicants.

3. Livelihood Assistance

3.1.  Livelihood assistance shall be granted to youth beneficiaries who shall be organized into group with 5 members each either PYM or non-PYM members.

3.2   Implementation of livelihood assistance shall utilize the SEA Kaunlaran scheme by emphasizing among the youth applicants the importance of community organizing, capability building, peer pressure and technical assistance as basic components in project management. The Project Evaluation Officer (PEO) shall be requested to provide technical assistance, direction and training, if possible relative to SEA Kaunlaran basic principle and policies.

3.3   Livelihood youth beneficiaries shall be encouraged to pay their rollback on a monthly basis which shall be deposited preferably in the Land Bank of the Philippines or if none, in any available accredited banks in the area.

3.4   Rollback funds from Sulong-Dunong livelihood assistance projects shall be deposited under the account of DSWD SEA Revolving and Settlement Fund (RSF.)

4. Technical Skills Development (TechDev)

4.1   Technical Skills Development training shall be conducted in existing community centers or any available facilities in the barangay where the youth trainees reside.

4.2   Selection of skills training projects shall be based on the skills, interest and aptitude of prospective trainees along agricultural productivity, crafts, trades and services designed to prepare them for economic productivity either for self or open employment available in the area.

4.3   The youth must be physically and mentally fit to undergo the skills training and the job that suits his interest and skills. If necessary, medical certificate shall be required.

5. Educational Assistance

5.1   Youth beneficiaries for educational assistance shall reside in the area where the school or institution he or she intends to enroll is located.

5.2   Who have interest to complete high school education and need educational assistance.

5.3   Arrangements in terms of school requirements, tuition fees and materials needed shall be made by the City/Municipal Social Welfare Officer(C/MSWDO) with appropriate public vocational schools where the youth choose to pursue learning activities from 3 to 6 months for vocational courses and one year for those who would like to complete high school education.

6. Monitoring and Supervision

6.1   The direct service workers from the concerned LGUs directly involved will implement and supervise the youth volunteers undertaking the project in the barangays ensuring that it is carried out in accordance with the project proposal submitted and approved by the DSWD Field Office.

6.2   The C/MSWDO concerned shall coordinate closely with DSWD Field Office to ensure that the basic policies and procedures of Sulong-Dunong project are strictly adhered.

6.3   The DSWD Field Office shall conduct periodic monitoring of the project, implementation in the area and provide technical assistance to field personnel.

6.4   Relative to the livelihood assistance project, monitoring and evaluation of this component shall be done in coordination with the SEA Unit.

6.5   The BCYW shall provide the necessary technical and other assistance to the DSWD Field Office for the implementation of Sulong-Dunong Project.

VII.

Roles and Responsibilities


A. City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office

1.  Implements, supervise and monitor the Sulong-Dunong Project in their areas of responsibility based on policies and procedures.

2.  Maintains close coordination with the DSWD Field Office to ensure effective project implementation.

3.  Provides other support services and resources, if necessary.

4.  Submits reports to DSWD Field Office on the status of project implementation on a quarterly basis.

B. DSWD Field Office

1.  Regularly monitors and provide technical assistance to LGUs in the implementation of Sulong-Dunong Project.

2.  Coordinates closely with C/MSWDO and BCYW regarding the implementation of the project.

3.  Submit a consolidated report on BCYW on the status of Sulong-Dunong implementation on a quarterly basis.

C. Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare

1.  Provides technical assistance to the DSWD Field Offices on the details of the Sulong-Dunong project implementation.

2.  Regularly monitors, conduct evaluation activities in coordination with the DSWD Field Office allocate funds to the DSWD Field Offices necessary for the implementation of Sulong Dunong project.

For compliance.

Adopted: 19 July 1995

(SGD.) LINA B. LAIGO
Secretary