The DSWD Listahanan, officially known as the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), is a program implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the Philippines. It serves as a comprehensive database of poor households across the country.
Listahanan employs a rigorous and systematic approach to gather data and assess the socioeconomic status of households. The process involves field interviews and assessments conducted by trained enumerators who visit communities and collect information directly from households. The collected data include various indicators such as household income, access to basic services, housing conditions, and ownership of assets.
The program uses a standardized targeting system to determine the eligibility of households for government assistance and support. By identifying and prioritizing the poorest of the poor, Listahanan aims to ensure that limited resources are allocated efficiently and reach those who are most in need.
Objectives and Goals
The objectives and goals of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Listahanan, or the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), can be summarized as follows:
- Identification of Poor and Vulnerable Households: Listahanan aims to identify and profile poor and vulnerable households across the Philippines.
- Targeting Social Protection Programs: It serves as a basis for targeting social protection programs and services to the most deserving beneficiaries, ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it the most.
- Enhancing Access to Basic Services: Listahanan helps design programs that enhance access to basic services such as healthcare, education, housing, and livelihood opportunities for vulnerable households.
- Promoting Social Inclusion and Equity: By targeting vulnerable groups, Listahanan contributes to reducing disparities and empowering marginalized communities to participate more actively in socio-economic development.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Listahanan facilitates the monitoring and evaluation of poverty reduction programs by providing accurate data on poverty incidence and household characteristics.
- Data-driven Decision Making: It promotes data-driven decision-making in poverty reduction efforts, enabling policymakers to formulate evidence-based policies and programs.
- Capacity Building and Collaboration: Listahanan fosters collaboration and capacity building among government agencies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders involved in poverty reduction initiatives.
Benefits
Listahanan offers several benefits to both the government and the Filipino people, which include the following:
- One of the primary benefits of Listahanan is its ability to identify and target the most vulnerable and impoverished households for social services and assistance programs.
- Listahanan helps the government allocate resources more efficiently by prioritizing households based on their level of need.
- With Listahanan’s data-driven approach, government agencies can design and implement social programs more effectively.
- Provides accurate and up-to-date information on poverty incidence and household characteristics, Listahanan supports evidence-based policymaking and program planning, leading to more effective poverty reduction strategies.
- Listahanan empowers marginalized communities to access essential services and opportunities that can help them break the cycle of poverty.
Legal Basis of Listahanan
- Department Order No. 1 Series of 2008 acknowledges the Targeting System for Poverty Reduction as a mechanism utilized by the DSWD to identify potential beneficiaries of its social protection programs and services.
- National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) Resolution No. 18 series of 2009 recognizes and urges support for the Targeting System implemented by the DSWD, viewing it as a valuable tool for identifying beneficiaries of social protection programs.
- Executive Order 867 series of 2010 mandates the adoption of the NHTS-PR as the mechanism for identifying poor households eligible to receive social protection programs nationwide.
Method Employed by the DSWD to Revise/Update the Listahanan
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) employs a systematic process for updating the Listahanan database to ensure its accuracy and relevance. The process typically involves the following steps:
Step 1: Planning and Preparation
DSWD initiates the planning process, which includes defining the scope of the update, allocating resources, and establishing timelines. This phase may also involve training personnel and identifying target areas for data collection.
Step 2: Household Enumeration
Trained enumerators visit households in selected areas to conduct interviews and gather updated information. They verify existing data and collect new information on household demographics, socio-economic status, and living conditions.
Step 3: Data Validation and Verification
The collected data undergo thorough validation and verification processes to ensure accuracy and reliability. This may involve cross-checking information with other government databases, conducting spot checks, and resolving discrepancies.
Step 4: Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
DSWD applies inclusion and exclusion criteria to determine which households qualify for inclusion in the updated Listahanan database based on their socio-economic status and vulnerability.
Step 5: Proxy Means Test (PMT)
DSWD utilizes the Proxy Means Test to estimate household income and welfare status based on observable household characteristics. This statistical method helps identify households likely to be living in poverty and need of assistance.
Step 6: Community Consultation and Feedback
Community consultations may be conducted to gather feedback and insights from residents regarding the accuracy and relevance of the data collected. This helps ensure that the updated database reflects the realities and needs of the communities it serves.
Step 7: Data Analysis and Reporting
Once the updating process is complete, data analysts compile and analyze the collected information to generate reports and insights. These reports inform policy decisions, program planning, and resource allocation.
Step 8: Publication and Dissemination
The updated Listahanan database is published and disseminated to relevant government agencies, local government units, and other stakeholders. It serves as a valuable resource for targeting social assistance programs and implementing poverty reduction initiatives.
Through this structured process, DSWD ensures that the Listahanan database remains accurate, current, and representative of the socio-economic conditions of households nationwide.
DSWD Listahanan Info Kit
Listahanan aims to identify who and where the poor are in the country to help the government in targeting and delivering social protection programs and services to those who are most in need. To learn more about it, you may access the Listahanan info kit they have uploaded at https://listahanan.dswd.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/listahanan_info_kit_7.pdf.
Video: DSWD to Update the Listahanan Database
This is a news update about the Listahanan Database of the DSWD, which is a database of poor households across the country. According to DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian, DSWD will use the updated Community-based Monitoring System (CBMS) by 2024 in providing various social services as prepared by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).