Photo 1: Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian presents a token to Hungarian Ambassador Titanilla Tóth during her visit at the DSWD Central Office on Thursday, April 21. 

Photo 2: DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, together with other DSWD officials, welcomes Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Socorro Inting (2nd from left) and Director Frances CM Aguindadao-Arabe (left) at the DSWD Central Office.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday welcomed Hungarian Ambassador to the country Dr. Titanilla Tóth, who paid a courtesy visit on the DSWD chief at the Central Office in Quezon City.

Ambassador’s visit to Secretary Gatchalian was made more meaningful as the Philippines and Hungary commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During their brief meeting, Secretary Gatchalian and Ambassador Toth discussed possible ways to further strengthen the delivery of social protection programs to Filipinos in need of assistance.

The DSWD Secretary provided an update to the visiting Ambassador on the ongoing relief operations in the oil spill in Mindoro Oriental.

Secretary Gatchalian said augmentation assistance is necessary to continuously help the victims to access basic needs such as potable water.

The Secretary also discussed the ongoing preparations to revive its Social Welfare and Development Center for Asia and the Pacific (SWADCAP) as a learning center to promote and upgrade the social work practice and profession in the Philippines.

In her response, Ambassador Tóth said that the Hungarian government will help the DSWD in its disaster response operations and in the development of certificate programs specializing on social work and community development.

In a separate meeting, Secretary Gatchalian met with Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Socorro Inting and Director Frances CM Aguindadao-Arabe for a possible partnership on voter’s education.

The Secretary expressed his support to the Comelec’s initiatives and mentioned that the DSWD is willing to assist them in advocating for the rights of Filipinos to vote and participate in the electoral process.

Secretary Gatchalian continues to meet with international and local development partners in an effort to better uphold the rights and provide appropriate services to the marginalized and vulnerable sectors, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for an inclusive society. #