The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently took a giant leap forward in strengthening its digital capabilities. On December 6 and 7, DSWD, through its Office of the CIO (OCIO) and the ICT Management Service (ICTMS), hosted an essential workshop focusing on Disaster Recovery (DRw) and Business Continuity Planning (BCP). This initiative marks a significant effort by DSWD to ensure that its services to the public remain consistent and uninterrupted.

The event, held in the bustling city of Angeles, Pampanga, was not just a meeting of minds but a testament to the power of collaborative leadership. Initiated by the ICT team of CAR, lead by its Regional Director, Mr. Leo Quintilla, and graciously hosted by Ms. Venus Rebuldela, Regional Director for Field Office 3, the workshop became a melting pot of ideas and strategies from ICT leaders across various DSWD field offices.

Assistant Secretary Julius Gorospe, CIO of DSWD, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “Our digital tools are more than just technology – they are vital in reaching out to and supporting our most vulnerable communities. This workshop aligns our disaster recovery and business continuity plans with our broader digital transformation goals, a key strategy led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian and mandated by President Marcos.”

Director Christian Joseph M. Regunay of ICTMS added, noting, “Given our country’s susceptibility to natural disasters, preparing robust DR and BCP strategies is essential. This workshop lays a solid foundation for a resilient DSWD, equipping us to handle various ICT risks, from cyber threats to natural disasters and other technical challenges.”

The workshop underscored the necessity for a comprehensive BCP to keep DSWD’s crucial services running during disruptions and a well-crafted DR plan to restore IT systems and data quickly. This plan is more than just a best practice; it’s an investment in enhancing the trust and confidence of the stakeholders and ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.

Echoing these sentiments, Regional Director Leo Quintilla remarked, “Working together proactively is crucial. This workshop represents a significant step towards a digitally resilient DSWD, always ready to serve our beneficiaries without interruption.”

Regional Director Venus Rebuldela, reflecting on hosting the event, said, “Welcoming this pivotal workshop to Pampanga is a clear sign of our united commitment to strengthen DSWD’s digital infrastructure, ensuring our services are always reliable, no matter the situation.”

As DSWD navigates the challenges of the digital era, such initiatives are crucial in ensuring the department continues to serve millions effectively, adhering to international standards, and maintaining operational excellence.

Nagsagawa ng Mental Health and Psychosocial Support session ang social workers mula sa DSWD sa mga mangingisda at pamilya ng tatlong pumanaw na biktima ng insidente sa Bajo de Masinloc noong Oktubre 2, 2023 .

Nagbigay din ng dagdag ayuda ang DSWD sa pamamagitan ng Educational Assistance para sa kanilang mga anak na mag-aaral sa elementarya hanggang kolehiyo na umaabot na sa P90,000.00. Nasa proseso na rin sila ng paghahanda upang mapabilang sa programang pangkabuhayan ng DSWD o Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

Pauna na rin nakapagpaabot ang Kagawaran ng Food Assistance sa halagang P5,000.00 bawat isa sa labing-apat na mangingisda, at dagdag na P10,000.00 burial assistance para sa pamilya ng tatlong pumanaw noong Oktubre.

Patuloy din ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng DSWD sa lokal na pamahalaan ng Subic sa pag monitor ng kalagayan at pagbibigay tulong sa pamilya ng mga apektadong mangingisda. ###

In its continuing efforts to strengthen the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will hold a National Consultative Meeting with local chief executives (LCEs) on Wednesday, November 8 at the SMX Convention Center in Angeles City, Pampanga.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian will meet with some 650 local chief executives and representatives of various local government units (LGUs) who will attend the National Consultative Meeting.

The LCEs from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are from select LGUs implementing Kalahi-CIDSS National Community Driven Development Program-Additional Financing (NCDDP-AF) and the Philippine Multi-sectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP).

“We will conduct this meeting to ensure that implementing LGUs are engaged and involved in designing and employing strategies to maximize the impact of the program, and increase their level of involvement and participation in joint and more aggressive efforts in the completion of community sub-projects,” DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said.

The National Consultative Meeting aims to provide a venue for an interactive engagement with the implementing LGUs to discuss the project’s milestones, encountered challenges, issues and concerns, and ways forward to further enhance the program.

Asst. Sec. Lopez, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, explained that the experiences of the LCEs in the implementation of sub-projects under Kalahi-CIDSS will help the Department and other LGUs to strengthen and further improve their community projects.

Other government agencies expected to join the consultative meeting are the Department of Health (DOH); Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the DSWD-attached agency National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), among others,

Also participating in the Kalahi-CIDDS event are the Gawad Kalinga (GK), Manila Water Foundation (MWF), non-government organizations (NGOs), and other partner organizations.

Kalahi-CIDSS is one of the poverty alleviation programs of the Philippine government being implemented by the DSWD.

It uses the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach, a globally recognized strategy for achieving service delivery, poverty reduction, and good governance outcomes. #

More than 3.8 million clients nationwide have received various types of aid through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said on Tuesday (October 31).

According to Asst. Sec. Lopez, who is also DSWD spokesperson, a total of 3,799,979 individuals were served by the Department from January to September 2023 through its AICS program at the DSWD Central Office and in the various regions across
the country.

“The AICS program has been instrumental in extending different types of support to individuals and families who are experiencing various forms of crises” Asst. Sec. Lopez said.

The types of aid provided under the AICS program include educational, medical, transportation, burial and food assistance.

The Department also handed out hot meals, family food packs (FFPs), assistive devices, and psychosocial support to the clients, the DSWD spokesperson noted.

“Indeed, the program has been a lifeline for millions of Filipinos to enable them to overcome their challenging circumstances ” Asst. Sec. Lopez emphasized.

Based on the official report, the most sought aid was psychosocial support with more than 1.7 million clients assisted, followed by food and medical aid with over 1.4 million and 1.1 million assistance provided, respectively.

Asst. Sec. Lopez emphasized that the number of individuals assisted by the DSWD is higher than the actual number of clients served as individuals can avail of more than one assistance under the AICS program every three months.

The DSWD spokesperson also pointed out that the increased number of clients served is a result of the streamlined process, as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2022.

Earlier this year, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian instructed concerned Department officials to bring the AICS program closer to its clients by establishing satellite offices.

To date, the Department has AICS processing areas in Caloocan City, Parañaque City, Pasig City, San Jose del Monte in Bulacan and Montalban in Rizal. #

The Department of Social Welfare and Development – Central Luzon received a news report and validated the same through the official Facebook account of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office which stated that a 52-year-old Barangay Kagawad candidate for local elections was arrested on October 28,2023 at Barangay Bagong Barrio in Pandi, Bulacan by the operatives of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office for alleged vote-buying activities in the area in clear violation of the Omnibus Election Code. 

It was mentioned in the report that several items were seized from the possession of the suspect at the time of the arrest which included the “General Intake Sheet of the DSWD”. The General Intake Sheet of the DSWD is a document used for an intake interview that basically provides information of clients seeking assistance from the Department. 

The DSWD hereby clarifies that the apprehended candidate is neither a staff nor a DSWD official and has no direct engagement, in whatever capacity, with the DSWD. Further, the alleged vote-buying incident involving the use of DSWD document is an isolated incident and no further similar reports are being received by the Department. However, the public is warned to remain extra vigilant and to not entertain those individuals’ offering assistance from DSWD in exchange for their votes. Persons-in-need and eligible to receive assistance from DSWD shall submit their documents to authorized DSWD staff only at our DSWD Offices and no payment in any form shall be collected from them.

We reiterate that the Department of Social Welfare and Development stands firm to the policies and rules pertaining to the use of election paraphernalia in compliance with the Omnibus Election Code and appurtenant guidelines and issuances by the COMELEC regulating specific acts committed before or during election by candidates and the like.

We generally condemn the illegal use of these documents as election paraphernalia which alludes that these DSWD documents might have been used for personal gains of candidates during the SKB elections denigrating the life-long and well-established integrity and dignity of the Department as well as its ever-vigilant workforce. We will not allow that the Department’s character be put in shade through the commission of acts violative of the election code.

Again, as an integral agency under the auspices and direction of the Honorable Secretary of the Department, we shall make all necessary efforts to see to the full extent the truth behind this incident. ###

In recognition of the contributions of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in demonstrating and preserving positive Filipino values, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will hold the 4Ps National Family Day 2023 at the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Multipurpose Gym on Wednesday (October 25).

The 4Ps National Family Day is an annual celebration aimed at strengthening the advocacy efforts of the program and promoting the value of health and education among poor household- beneficiaries.

With the theme: “Aluyan ng Katatagan at Pag-Asa”, this year’s celebration will showcase the success stories of beneficiaries, depicting the 4Ps as a pillar of hope and resilience in achieving self-sufficiency.

“Today, we celebrate a series of remarkable accomplishments achieved by the exemplary Pantawid Pamilya families. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these families for graciously sharing their inspiring journey through the 4Ps program,” 4Ps National Program Manager, Director Gemma Gabuya said.

Director Gabuya added: “Your stories are living testimonies of your hard work, alongside the government and our valued partners, in breaking the vicious cycle of poverty.”

As part of the celebration, the DSWD will award 17 Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya from the different regions who have exhibited strong family ties and carried out exemplary practices and achievements that created positive impact and promoted empowerment to the families and their communities.

Each regional winner will receive a plaque of recognition and cash incentive of Php10,000, on top of the other prizes provided by their respective DSWD Field Offices.

For this year’s celebration, the 4Ps will also award the top five winners of the story writing contest dubbed as Salaysay ng Buhay ng Pamilyang Pantawid.

The writing contest aims to capture the inspiring stories of the 4Ps household-beneficiaries written by the families themselves.

The winners with the best-written stories will receive cash prizes from Php5,000 to Php15,000 and plaques of recognition.

The 4Ps is the national poverty reduction strategy and a human capital investment program of the government that provides conditional cash transfer to qualified household-beneficiaries.
The 4Ps is also a human development program which provides social protection, social assistance, social development, and other complementary support services in partnership with concerned agencies, local government units and other stakeholders toward improving the health and nutrition, education, and socio-economic aspects of the lives of the beneficiaries.

As of June 30, 2023, the 4Ps covers a total of 3,893,958 active household-beneficiaries across 41,676 barangays in the entire country. #

Idinaos ang back-to-back na aktibidad ng Department of Social Welfare and Development sa pamamagitan ng Kapit Bisig Laban Sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) sa Subic Bay, Zambales.

Ang KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Community Volunteers Congress at Bayani Ka! Awards ay taunang idinadaos para bigyan ng mataas na parangal ang ating mga community volunteers at para bigyan sila ng pagkakataon na ipahayag ang kanilang sarili sa pamamagitan ng pagkulay at paglikha ng awitin. 

Dinaluhan ito ng Assistant National Program Manager ng KALAHI-CIDSS na si Ms. Ma. Consuelo Acosta, DSWD Region 3 Regional Director Venus F. Rebuldela at ng Local Chief Executives at ng iba pang partner stakeholders ng KALAHI-CIDSS. 

Nagbigay ng mensahe ng pasasalamat at inspirasyon si Dir. Venus F. Rebuldela, “Aking inaasahan bilang Regional Director po ng  Field Office III, Kayo po ang mangunguna sa pagbabago at pag aadvocate ng pagbabago sa inyong komunidad. Nandito lang po kami lagi sa tabi niyo para kayo po ay alalayan at bigyan ng guidance para mas mapaganda panatin ang implementasyon ng KALAHI-CIDSS”