The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday (May 22) welcomed the designation of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian as chairperson of the re-organized Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued an executive order reorganizing the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger, as 2.7 million Filipino families continue to experience hunger during the first quarter of the year, according to the latest survey of the Social Weather Station.

The DSWD Secretary was designated as Head of the Zero Hunger Task Force following the issuance of Executive Order No. 27 series of 2023 on May 18, which recalibrated and reorganized the Task Force.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Executive Order 27 for the President amending E) 101 issued by the previous administration in January 2020.

Under the new EO, the President designated the secretary of the DSWD as the task force’s chairperson. The executive director of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and the secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) will serve as co-chairperson and vice chairperson, respectively.

Members of the recalibrated IATF on Zero Hunger include the Secretaries of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Chairperson of Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as well as a representative from the Office of the President (OP).

Addressing hunger and poverty

Since he assumed office on January 31 this year, DSWD Secretary Gatchalian has laid out programs and special projects to fight hunger and poverty in the Philippines, including the implementation of digital food stamps.

DSWD Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Romel M. Lopez pointed out that the program is aimed at insulating 1 million poor families who do not have access to nutritious foods.

“Sa halip na pipila kayo dati o mag-aabang ng relief goods although kahit naka-preposition na ‘yan, ngayon po bibigyan na natin ng laya iyong mga kababayan natin sa tulong ng food stamps. With the help of our partner merchandise at mga suppliers ay maaari na nilang kuhain doon sa mga ka-tie up natin na supermarket iyong kanilang mga pangangailangan. Food stamp na lang po ang kanilang dala-dala (Instead of lining up and waiting for relief goods, though these are already prepositioned, this program will provide freedom to its recipient to buy goods of their choice in our partner grocery stores and supermarkets. All they have to do is to bring their food stamp and use it to buy their basic necessities),” Asst. Secretary Lopez said.

The Food Stamp program was proposed by the DSWD to the President as one of the current Administration’s priority programs, which aims to address the hunger problem that many communities in the country are experiencing, the DSWD spokesperson noted.

“One of the things that is in the pipeline, that is being developed, that is going to be of great assistance to our people is a proposal by the DSWD for a food stamp program, which I am surprised that we have never had, but it is something that we can see that has been effective in other countries,” President Marcos had said in an interview.

To date, the Department is now in the thick of things to operationalize this initiative, according to Asst. Secretary Lopez.

“With his enthusiasm to address hunger and achieve food security in the country, Secretary Gatchalian will be able to lead the Task Force in ensuring that government policies, initiatives, and projects on attaining zero hunger are responsive and effective,” the DSWD spokesperson said. #

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, together with (from left to right) Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) Marlon Alagao, Undersecretary Josefina Monina Romualdez and National Authority for Child Care Undersecretary Janella Estrada, held a press briefing earlier today (May 23) where he discussed several pressing issues.

Secretary Gatchalian tackled the Department’s preparations for Tropical Cyclone Mawar, which is expected to affect the northern part of the country. He also responded to media queries on the issuance of a Cease-and-Desist Order for Gentle Hands, Inc. as well as the new DSWD initiative to address hunger through the Food Stamp Program. #

A senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is urging the promotion of the Comprehensive Juvenile Intervention Program as the Department observed the 17th anniversary of the enactment of Republic Act (RA) No. 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA).

In her message, DSWD Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera, chairperson of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), stated the importance of the role of duty-bearers in the implementation of the amended JJWA.

“I hope that each of you will keep on developing and implementing your respective Comprehensive Juvenile Intervention Program, ensure the provision of preventive and responsive community-based programs on juvenile justice and welfare, and support the conduct of child-appropriate diversion programs,” Undersecretary Cabrera said.

“To our children, especially to the children at risk and children in conflict with the law, great things are ahead of you, just stay on track – take an active part in your intervention and diversion programs, listen to the guidance of your parents, house parents, and other center staff and continue pursuing your dreams,” the DSWD undersecretary pointed out.

With the theme, “Patuloy sa Pagsulong ng Pagbabago para sa Batang Pilipino,” the 17th JJWA anniversary focuses on strengthening children and young people’s participation in the JJWA advocacy.

The celebration also aims to increase the awareness of beneficiaries, stakeholders, duty-bearers and the general public on the law and its implementation, particularly on the utilization of the Juvenile Justice Management Information System (JJ-MIS), development of the Comprehensive Local Juvenile Intervention Program (CLJIP) and other necessary protocols.

The JJ-MIS is an online centralized information system that is used to collect, record, and manage data on children in conflict with the law (CICL) and children at risk (CARs), which is significant in the development of evidence-based policies and programs to support minor offenders and their families.

All local government units are enjoined to draft their CLJIP, which will serve as their guide in the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of their respective juvenile intervention programs and policies.

The DSWD and the JJWC are committed to reinforcing their initiatives to uphold the rights and welfare of CICLs and CARs by engaging with stakeholders and duty-bearers through the effective and efficient implementation of the JJWA. #

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is making significant strides toward digital transformation, which Secretary Rex Gatchalian describes as “game changer.”

Secretary Gatchalian said the DSWD recognizes that the success of this initiative is heavily reliant on the recruitment of bright Information and Communications Technology (ICT) talents as well as technology leaders.

The Department is therefore committed to creating an environment that attracts the best and brightest in the industry, according to the DSWD secretary.

The DSWD’s Information and Communications Technology Management Services (ICTMS) is behind the digitalization effort which is aimed at creating a more efficient and responsive organization.

“This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s mandate to accelerate digitalization across all government agencies,” said Gorospe, who is also Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) for E-Governance and Digital Infrastructure.

“The department is embracing modern technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data analytics to enable it to become more agile and responsive to the needs of the people,” said Gorospe, who also acts as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Department.

“In addition, this initiative will catalyze change in other government agencies and organizations across the country,” Gorospe said.#

The government, the private sector and everyday citizens must unite and work together in order to protect the Filipino children from the grave threat of online sexual abuse and exploitation.

This was the main call Thursday (May 18) during the official launch of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for Republic Act No. 11930, also known as the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and the Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian described the signing of the IRR as “a meaningful journey towards enhancing the protection of children against online abuse.”

“ The DSWD, as one of the signatories of the IRR, will remain vigilant in making sure that the provisions will be strictly implemented and never abused. Likewise, the Department will continue to craft relevant plans, policies, and programs to address the evolving need for better protection, recovery, and reintegration of victim-survivors,” Secretary Gatchalian said in his message.

Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla pointed out that the Philippines remains a prime target for online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, owing to factors such as poverty, fluency in English and widespread internet access.

“It is the responsibility of all, from the government to everyday citizens, to protect the innocence and well-being of our future: the Filipino children,” Secretary Remulla said.

According to the Child Rights Network, the launch of the IRR heralds a groundbreaking milestone in the Philippine battle against OSAEC.

“Data shows an alarming surge in OSAEC-related reports, particularly at the height of the pandemic. This alarming trend is supported by the findings of the Anti-Money Laundering Council, which documented a significant rise in suspicious financial transactions linked to online sexual abuse,” Mr. Romeo Dongeto, Convenor of the Child Rights Network, said.

“We are pleased to witness the Philippine government prioritizing this urgent matter. They have actively engaged civil society, the private sector, and even children themselves in shaping how the law will be enforced,” Dongeto pointed out in his message.

The IRR of the Anti-OSAEC law launched on Wednesday (May 17) outlines comprehensive guidelines and mechanisms to combat OSAEC, ranging from effective reporting to robust international cooperation.

The IRR also establishes the National Coordination Center against OSAEC and CSAEM (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM) under the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT). This center will be responsible for developing programs to address OSAEC and CSAEM.

A modern law for a modern crisis

For her part, Senator Risa Hontiveros, main author and sponsor of the Anti-OSAEC Law in the Senate, said the Philippines has created a comprehensive legislation and an IRR that reflect the invaluable input obtained through a nationwide consultation, making it “a true landmark in our legal framework.”

“We can proudly proclaim that we have crafted a holistic legislation that assigns responsibility to every sector – from law enforcement to the private sector. This modern law and its corresponding IRR directly tackle the complexities of our modern world,” Senator Hontiveros said.

The IRR covers the duties and responsibilities of the private sector, especially internet intermediaries and internet service providers, down to internet hotspots, cafes, or kiosks.

The IRR also lists key instrumentalities in fighting OSAEC, including financial investigation of perpetrators, blacklisting of aliens, and age verification protocols.

As provided in RA 11930, an OSAEC and CSAEM Offenders Registry for Filipino nationals and foreigners will also be created.

Rule III of the IRR also delineates how the Philippines can exercise jurisdiction over OSAEC offenses, even if committed outside the Philippines. It also clarifies how international legal cooperation on OSAEC cases can be achieved.

UNICEF Representative to the Philippines Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov also lauded the newly-launched IRR, calling the document a “reflection of our aspirations for the Filipino children.”

“It stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to create a safer and more secure future for every Filipino child, be it in online or offline spaces,” the UNICEF representative said.

RA 11930 is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2209 – primarily authored by Sen. Hontiveros, and House Bill No. 10703 – primarily authored by Rep. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla and sponsored by House on the Welfare of Children Chairperson Rep. Yedda Romualdez.

The bill lapsed into law on July 30, 2022. #

The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) marks the 17th anniversary of the enactment of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA) or Republic Act 9344, as amended, on May 20, 2023, in Pampanga, with the theme, “Patuloy sa Pagsulong ng Pagbabago para sa Batang Pilipino”. 

This year’s celebration will focus on strengthening children participation with the conduct of a policy forum with children and youth. It aims to showcase the milestones in the implementation of the JJWA, increase awareness of beneficiaries, stakeholders, duty-bearers, and the general public on the law and its implementation, particularly on the Juvenile Justice Management Information System (JJ-MIS), Comprehensive Local Juvenile Intervention Program (CLJIP), and protocols, identify means and venues to uphold children and youth participation in JJWA advocacy, and gather policy recommendation relative to strengthening children and youth participation in JJWA advocacy.

“The activity is also seen as a good platform for children and youth to have a sense of involvement in decision-making and participate in the discussions on matters that affect them, particularly on child rights promotion and protection and implementation of the JJWA,” said JJWC Executive Director Atty. Tricia Clare A. Oco.

Among the participants of the activity are residents and social workers from Bahay Pag-Asa (BPA) San Jose del Monte, Bulacan and the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) Pampanga, and JJWC National and Regional Secretariat.

“This forum is a safe space for our children and youth to discuss and share their experiences and perspectives. We at the JJWC are all ears to their opinions and policy recommendations on children and youth participation in JJWA implementation and advocacy,” Atty. Oco emphasized.

###