Philippine Standard time

National Household Targeting System: Concepts and Methodology


The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) developed the National Household Targeting System (NHTS) for Poverty Reduction to identify poor households across the country. The NHTS data shall be the basis for identifying the beneficiaries of the anti-poverty programs of the government, as well as for automatic coverage under the Philippine Nations Health Insurance. Targeting is a means of enhancing program efficiency by increasing the benefit that the poor can get from the government plans and budget. In spite of advancements in targeting methods, under coverage and leakages still occur even in the most successful programs. Based on countries’ experiences experts have drawn up a number of mechanisms to minimize program leakages.These include a strong monitoring system for verification of information, automated checks and comparing registries with other data, as well as periodic recertification of beneficiaries to ensure that those who have improved their welfare are removed from the system. While this may help make the system become more accurate, it also entails additional costs. The NHTS is in the process of adopting some of these mechanisms. It is still verifying and reviewing its targeted list and those who will be included will be issued an Identification Card. The DSWD and PhilHealth are reconciling their lists of identified poor household that may be covered and enrolled in the social health program. And finally, there will be an assessment/updating of the list in 2014 and those who still qualify as poor will undergo recertification.


Citations

This publication has been cited time(s).