7.5M grant allocation nakalaan na sa mga piling barangay ng Quezon, Nueva Ecija

Idinaos ang Municipal Orientation ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sa pamamagitan ng Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan, Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KALAHI-CIDSS-KKB) sa Multipurpose Hall, Brgy. II, Plaza Squadron, Quezon, Nueva Ecija.

Aabot sa 7.5 million ang grant allocation na ibaba sa mga barangay na kung saan ay pag-uusapan ng mga kani-kaniyang barangay ang kanilang problema, at dito pipili ng pinaka priority na pwedeng gawan ng proyekto.

41 participants na binubuo ng mga punong barangay, representante mula sa mga barangay, at mga na miyembro ng Municipal Inter-Agency Commitee ang dumalo sa naturang aktibidad. 

Kabilang dito ang Sanguniang Councilor ng Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Ma. Odet Lahom na nagpahayag ng pagsuporta at pasasalamat sa programa, “Maraming salamat sa DSWD at sa KALAHI-CIDSS sa  pangalawang pagkakataon na mapasama ulit sa programa ang Munisipalidad ng Quezon. Makakasigurado kayo na aming ibibigay ang aming suporta sa programa.” ###




DSWD, ASEAN representatives conclude Regional Inter-Sectoral Consultation to strengthen roles of social workers, wider social service workforce

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera, as the Philippine Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD) Leader, chairs the ASEAN Inter-Sectoral Consultation to enhance the Regional Guidance on Strengthening the Role of Social Work and the wider Social Service Workforce in Health and the Justice System via online platform.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the focal agency representing the Philippines in the ASEAN Sectoral Body on Social Welfare and Development, hosted the virtual consultation in cooperation with the ASEAN Social Work Consortium, the ASEAN Secretariat and with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) East Asia and Pacific Regional Office.

The successfully concluded ASEAN Inter-Sectoral Consultation held on February 7 and 8, was attended by the members of the ASEAN Social Work Consortium, representatives from the relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, the ASEAN Secretariat, the UNICEF and other UN agencies, as well as government and non-government organizations.

The virtual consultation aimed to gather feedbacks and inputs from participants to enhance the Draft Regional Guidance on Strengthening the Role of Social Workers and the Wider Social Service Workforce in Health; and the Draft Regional Guidance on Strengthening the Role of Social Workers and the Wider Social Service Workforce in the Justice System.

During the opening of the consultation, Secretary Rex Gatchalian expressed his support for the goal of the activity.

“Consistent with our commitment to the Hanoi Declaration on Strengthening Social Work towards a cohesive and responsive ASEAN community, and its accompanying ASEAN roadmap, the Philippines remains to be a strong advocate for the progressive strengthening of social workers and the wider social service workforce recognizing their valuable contribution in the promotion and protection of the marginalized and vulnerable sectors of the society,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

The Hanoi Declaration on Strengthening Social Work adopted by the State Leaders during the 37th ASEAN Summit in November 2020, was considered to be the first regional framework for social work to accelerate the collective action for the strengthening, recognition, and advancement of social work in ASEAN.

“Aiming for the standard and responsive delivery of social services to uplift the quality of life of all people in the ASEAN region, particular attention is needed to plan, develop and support its workforce. A well-defined and evidence-based frameworks and strategies will ensure that the social workers and the wider social service workforce are prepared to respond to the emerging issues and the challenges of the fast changing landscapes for social welfare and development,” the Secretary added.

The participants of the virtual consultation articulated issues in social work practice and recommendations which include the need to plan and develop multi-disciplinary training opportunities and an effective curriculum to improve the competencies of social workers based in the medical field and justice system of ASEAN Member States (AMS).

Likewise, the panel also suggested to highlight the importance of social workers in both fields and to strengthen coordination among AMS through the development of data collection systems and information management.

The DSWD hopes that through the inputs from the participants, the two regional guidance documents will be able to help advance the condition of social work practice in the ASEAN Region.

The two outcome documents are expected to be endorsed for notation of the State Leaders during the ASEAN Summit in November 2023. ###




Secretary Gatchalian to go after text scammers targeting senior citizens

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian gave a stern warning against scammers who spread text messages about ‘unclaimed’ cash aid to target vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens.

“We will make sure to prosecute you to the fullest extent ng batas kaya ‘wag na kayong magkakamali na mahuli namin kayo (of the law so don’t make the mistake of getting caught),” Secretary Gatchalian said in an interview.

This warning was made after the Department received from a concerned citizen a report that there is a text message circulating over mobile phone users regarding the alleged ‘unclaimed’ relief allowances for senior citizens and retired business owners.

Secretary Gatchalian mentioned that the Department has mechanisms in place to detect scammers and to prevent any incident of scamming and deception among its clients.

“Para naman sa mga patuloy na gumagawa nyan sisiguraduhin namin dito sa DSWD na mahuhuli at mahuhuli namin kayo (For those scammers, we will make sure that we are able to catch you),” the Secretary added.

He also appealed to the public to not use the name of the Department for deceiving senior citizens, pointing out that such act “is even worst na nananamantala kayo ng mga taong walang kalaban-laban (that you are taking advantage of the vulnerability of individuals).”

Moreover, Secretary Gatchalian reminded the public to be more vigilant and responsible in engaging with unknown individuals over the phone.

“Ito ang babala namin sa publiko na huwag kayong maniniwala sa mga naglalako ng kung ano-anong mga serbisyo na kunwari ay galing sa DSWD (This is our reminder to the public not to believe those who offer services pretending to be from the DSWD),” he said.

The Secretary likewise advised the public to report any suspicious messages they receive to the nearest DSWD office or to any concerned government agencies. He said it is also the obligation of all citizens to verify information from the authorities.

Meanwhile, Secretary Gatchalian reiterated that the Department has no such relief allowance that is being provided to the seniors. However, he said that DSWD implements social pension program for indigent senior citizens and that other financial assistance for individuals in crisis situation, including the said sector, is extended through the Department’s Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) located at the Central Office and in all Field Offices nationwide. ###




DSWD Region 3 Ipinagdiwang ang ika-72 anibersaryo

Pinangunahan ni Regional Director Jonathan V. Dirain ang opisyal na pagbubukas ng dalawang linggong selebrasyon ng ika-72 anibersaryo ng DSWD Region 3 bilang bahagi ng makasaysayang paggunita ng pagkakatatag ng Departamento. 

Sa unang araw ay idinaos na ang elimination games para sa mga kalahok sa basketball, volleyball, at badminton. Ipinakilala rin ng mga SWAD ang kanilang mga representate sa Gandang Sportsfest mula sa LGBTQIA+ community. 

“I know everybody is ready to show their athleticism, but the long wait is over. I know all of you are excited to win and get the championship. What is important is how we play sports, it’s how we build camaraderie, teamwork, and friendship and these should translate when we go back to work.” mensahe ni Director Dirain. 

Bukod sa sportsfest, magkakaroon ng iba’t-ibang aktibidad at patimpalak para sa mga empleyado ng kagawaran. Ang pagdiriwang ay mula sa huling linggo ng Pebrero hanggang sa unang linggo ng Marso. 

Bahagi rin ito ng wellness program ng Regional Office para sa kanyang mga manggagawa. ###




DSWD, ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Bata to work together for child protection program

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian meets with Bantay Bata 163 representatives for possible partnership in child protection on Monday, February 13, 2023 at the DSWD Central Office.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian met with the representatives of Bantay Bata 163 of the ABS-CBN Foundation to further improve the Department’s initiatives and efforts on child protection on Monday, February 13, 2023, at the DSWD Central Office.

The discussion focused on how to strengthen and enhance the implementation of the Department’s child protection programs and interventions for abused, neglected, and abandoned children, among others.

Currently, the DSWD implements programs for child protection including but not limited to the  Strategic Helpdesks for Information, Education, Livelihood, and other Developmental Interventions or SHIELD against child labor; Unlad Kabataan Program, Supplementary Feeding Program; Recovery and Reintegration Program of Trafficked Persons;  Comprehensive Program for Street Children, Street Families, and Indigenous Peoples especially Sama Bajaus; Residential Care Facilities; and other community-based programs and services addressing children in need of special protection from abuse and exploitation.

Meanwhile, the meeting aimed to partner with other child protection program implementer outside the Department, such as Bantay Bata 163, to supplement the Department’s initiatives and to come up with a total child protection package. The package will target specifically children who are needing temporary shelter and rehabilitation and are admitted in DSWD-run centers and residential care facilities.

The Secretary emphasized that the package should include holistic and integrated approaches, as well as clear pathways for the exit of children from different centers and residential care facilities.

He added that child protection does not stop at putting children, who have been reached out by the Department from difficult circumstances, in the different facilities. They should be prepared for alternative parental care like adoption, foster care, kinship care, or reintegration or independent living, based on the result of the assessment of the case manager.

“Give them a clear pathway to become successful in life,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

The DSWD vowed to partner with non-governmental organizations, such as Bantay Bata 163, to develop mechanisms for child case referral, assessment, and provision of social services, among others, to ensure the protection and development of children who are victims of abuse, exploitation, and neglect.

Bantay Bata 163 is a child welfare program established by the ABS-CBN Foundation to protect disadvantaged and at-risk children through a nationwide network of social services. ###




DSWD Secretary Gatchalian visits Philippine Red Cross Operations Center

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian is being briefed by personnel of the Philippine Red Cross, headed by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard J. Gordon, on the facilities and functions of their Operations Center in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

In its continuing efforts to improve the Agency’s disaster and relief response, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited the Philippine Red Cross Operations Center in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

The purpose of the visit was to check the facilities and resources of the Operations Center of the Philippine Red Cross as well as their best practices in deploying immediate response and assistance to people in need, especially the disaster-affected families and individuals.

The Secretary explained that the goal of the visit is to get inputs from existing and notable command centers such as the Philippine Red Cross Operations Center and apply it as the Department is in the process of upgrading its command center.

As soon as he assumed office as the head of the DSWD, enhancing the command center, setting up logistics networks and additional warehouses for relief goods and family food packs in strategic locations, and bringing the private sector in are some of the major thrusts and priorities of Secretary Gatchalian to strengthen the disaster response mechanisms of the Department.

Joining the Secretary during the visit were Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), Atty. Marco M. Bautista; Assistant Secretary for DRMG, Dr. Diana Rose S. Cajipe; Disaster Response Management Bureau Director Michael Cristopher R. Mathay; and National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau Officer-in-Charge, Corazon L. Macaraeg. ###




DSWD ranks 3rd best-rated government service employer in Inquirer’s survey

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ranked 3rd under the government service category of the “Philippines’ Best Employers 2023”, a survey and research conducted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer in partnership with Statista, a Hamburg-based market research company.

Overall, the DSWD grabbed 54th place among the top 300 best employers in 2023. The research covered some 100,000 recommendations across 27 industries such as government services; aerospace and defense; banking and financial services; education; healthcare and social, among others.

The result of the ranking is a culmination of an extensive and comprehensive research project which covered thousands of evaluations, opinions from employees, and scores from other companies.

The result showed the DSWD’s positive relationship with its workforce, while maintaining an effective delivery of social protection packages to its clients and stakeholders – the vulnerable, poor, and disadvantaged sectors of society.

With this positive development, the DSWD vowed to continue to undertake efforts that will put a premium on employee wellness and safety. ###




DSWD Finance and Management Service launches public resource site

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian observes the features of the newly-launched Finance and Management Service-For Your Information resource site as Director Wayne Belizar provides a walkthrough of the site during the project launch on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

 

As a response to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to digitalize government processes, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Finance and Management Service (FMS), launched on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, “FMS-FYI” (Finance and Management Service-For Your Information) page, a resource site that will serve as the repository of all finance and management-related resource of the DSWD.

The FMS-FYI, which was developed in collaboration with the DSWD Information and Communications Technology Management Service (ICTMS), can be accessed by various stakeholders to gather information and knowledge resources such as published news and press releases, copies of speeches and quote cards, photo and video gallery, announcements, downloadable forms, copies of issuances, and standard operating procedures of the FMS.

In his keynote speech, Secretary Rex Gatchalian expressed his support to the digitization initiative. “I am happy that I got invited to a digital push initiated by the FMS itself. From my understanding, this is a homegrown program developed within the Department because we want to comply to the President’s directive to digitalize everything. Whenever I hear homegrown that means you are innovating by yourself,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

“You want to better yourselves, you want to better the improvement in the delivery of services, that is why you made this homegrown FMS system and I’m very, very impressed because the very spirit, is the spirit of innovation, the spirit of wanting to be better than what we are,” the Secretary added.

The DSWD expressed hope that internal staff and other stakeholders will be able to efficiently utilize the FMS-FYI resource site on all DSWD finance-related concerns.

To visit the FMS Resource Site, the public may access it though bit.ly/FMSFYI. ###