GIFT FROM AMBASSADOR. Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian receives an illustrated map of Hungary as a souvenir from Hungarian Ambassador to the Philippines Titanilla Tóth during her courtesy visit to the Secretary on Thursday, April 20 at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian met with British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils, on Monday, April 24, to further strengthen existing ties and discuss possible partnership opportunities on capacitating the social welfare workforce and fighting hunger in the Philippines.
During the British envoy’s courtesy visit, Secretary Gatchalian laid out to Ambassador Beaufils and her delegation the Department’s initiatives to upskill the DSWD workforce and to mitigate hunger in the country.
As part of its plans to further equip and train the social welfare workforce and other service providers offering and implementing social protection packages, the DSWD will revitalize its Social Welfare and Development Center for Asia and the Pacific (SWADCAP) as an academy for social workers and those involved in social welfare programs.
Through the academy, the DSWD will provide certificate programs and short courses on various fields like social protection and disaster preparedness, among others to further improve the provision of social welfare programs to the poor and the vulnerable sectors.
In addressing hunger in the country, Secretary Gatchalian shared the DSWD’s plans to implement and provide digital food stamps that may be used by its recipients to buy goods in grocery stores and supermarkets.
In response to the Secretary, Ambassador Beaufils, vowed to share the British government’s curriculum and other materials that may be used by the DSWD for its academy.
The British envoy also expressed her government’s commitment to provide technical assistance in the provision of digital food stamps for poor Filipinos.
In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide immediate assistance to indigent Filipinos, Secretary Gatchalian continues to strengthen the DSWD’s relationship with international governments that will contribute to the Department’s fight against hunger and improvement in the delivery of quality services to the public. #
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. #
Layunin ng pagpupulong na ito na pag-usapan at tugunan ang mga suliranin na inihain sa kanila ng kanilang mga ka-grupo at kapwa benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)
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Sinabi ng Kalihim na lahat ng kanilang mga inilahad na problema ay natanggap ng Kagawaran at gagawan ng kaukulang aksyon batay sa mga alituntunin ng 4Ps.
Binigyang diin ng Kalihim ang kahalagahan ng pakikipagtulungan ng mga grupo ng mga benepisyaryo ng mga programa ng DSWD upang maging matagumpay ang programa.
Hinimok ng Kalihim ang SNPP na tulungan ang Ahensya para maiparating ang tamang proseso ng paghahatid ng reklamo ng mga benepisyaryo gamit ang iba’t-ibang paraan na itinakda ng Grievance Redress System ng programa.
Nangako ang Kalihim na bukas ang kanyang tanggapan para sa regular na pakikipag-usap sa SNPP.
Kasama din sa pagpupulong ang ilang matataas na opisyal ng DSWD kabilang sina Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera; Assistant Secretary Evelyn Macapobre; Assistant Secretary Marites Maristela at si Director Gemma Gabuya, ang National Program Manager ng 4Ps.
Ang pakikipagpulong na ito ay naaayon sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr na linisin ang mga listahan ng mga benepisaryo ng mga programa ng gobyerno upang masiguro na tanging mga kwalipikado lamang ang mapapabilang dito.
Patuloy na paiigtingin ng DSWD ang ugnayan nito sa iba’t ibang sektor upang lalo pang mapalakas ang mga programa nito laban sa kahirapan. #
In celebration of the first Solo Parents Week on April 17, 2023, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Rowena Nina Taduran (left), on behalf of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, awards a Certificate of Recognition to the DSWD-Central Office Solo Parents Support Group for its contribution to the advocacy of solo parents’ rights and welfare.
As the lead agency of the solo parents’ Inter-Agency Coordinating and Monitoring Committee (IACMC), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) spearheaded the celebration of the first Solo Parents Week on Monday (April 17) at the DSWD Central Office.
Republic Act No. 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act provides that the third week and third Saturday of April are declared as Solo Parents Week and National Solo Parents Day, respectively to commemorate the role and significance of every solo parent in the Philippines.
In his message, Secretary Rex Gatchalian extended his gratitude to the solo parents providing sole parental care and support to their children.
The DSWD Secretary’s message was delivered by Legislative Coordination and External Affairs Undersecretary Rowena Niña Taduran.
“The Department recognizes your sacrifices to independently raise and care for your children and thus, commends you for your courage and strength to fulfill this difficult responsibility. Together with other agencies, we commit to work hand-in-hand toward the goal of achieving a just and fair society for all Filipino solo parents, their children, and their families,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
During the celebration, a Certificate of Recognition was awarded to the DSWD-Central Office Solo Parents’ Support Group in recognition of the group’s contribution to the advocacy of solo parents’ rights, specifically to the solo parent employees of the Department.
The DSWD, together with its Field Offices and the members of the IACMC, prepared a weeklong event to mark the first celebration of Solo Parents Week and to spread awareness on the strengthened and expanded law for solo parents.
RA 11861 which amended RA 8972 or the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000, promotes the rights of Filipino solo parents and ensures that they can receive adequate social protection programs from the government.
The DSWD is committed to overseeing the effective implementation of the law in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to secure the welfare of solo parents and to ensure that they and other vulnerable sectors are not left behind in development. #
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian meets with OCD Administrator, Undersecretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno, to strengthen disaster response operations on Monday, April 17 at the Office of Civil Defense Headquarters in Quezon City.
In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to take proactive measures during calamities, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, along with other DSWD officials, met with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) led by Undersecretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno, to discuss ways to make disaster response and efforts more responsive and effective.
During the meeting on Monday, April 17, at the OCD Headquarters in Quezon City, Sec. Gatchalian presented the “Buong Bansa Handa: A Whole-of-Nation Approach for Disaster Preparedness Response” framework.
The framework aims to create two parallel supply chain mechanisms for disaster relief efforts and prepositioning.
It also aims to engage the government at all levels, as well as the private sector in mobilizing resources to address food security and social protection during disasters and crises.
OCD Director Cesar M. Idio led the orientation on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Structure and its Response and Early Recovery efforts.
As the Vice-Chair for Disaster Response Pillar under the NDRRMC, and as the lead agency for Camp Coordination and Camp Management, Protection, and Food and Non-Food Clusters, the DSWD is committed to strengthening its efforts to guarantee the efficient and effective delivery of services and programs to disaster-stricken families.
As part of his visit to the OCD headquarters, Secretary Gatchalian was also given a quick tour of the NDRRMC Operations Center.
The DSWD will continue to explore ways to improve its capacity for disaster preparedness and response so necessary assistance will be immediately delivered to the disaster-affected localities. #
Sa pangalawang pagkakataon sa Gitnang Luzon, ginanap ang Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP): Diskwento Caravan. Layunin nito nabigyan ng oportunidad ang mga local food producers na magkaroon ng mas malaking kita sa pamamagitan ng pagbebenta ng kanilang mga produkto. Gayundin ang pagbibigay ng accessible at abot-kayang mga bilihin bilang alternatibong solusyon sa epekto ng pandaigdigang inflation.
Pinangunahan ni DSWD Region III Director Jonathan V. Dirain ang paghahanda sa mga serbisyong ipagkakaloob ng ahensya sa ilalim ng KNP. Kabilang sa mga serbisyong ito ang Disaster Response, Sustainable Livelihood Program, at Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation.
Personal namang inabot ni President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at ni DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian ang mga Family Food Packs at Financial Assistance na may halagang Php 5,000.00 bawat isa sa 480 benepisyaryo.
Samantala, nakilahok ang limang (5) Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) sa KNP kung saan tampok ang mga produkto gaya ng pagkain, gamit sa bahay, dekorasyon, bag, pitaka, accessories at marami pang iba.
Ang mga SLPAs na lumahok ay ang: St. Paul’s SLPA, Kaunlaran SLPA, Office of the Persons with Disability Affairs SLPA, New Born Baby River SLPA, at Sunshine SLPA.
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