Secretary Gatchalian swears in newly-appointed Undersecretary

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian administers the Oath of Office to newly-appointed Undersecretary Monina Josefina H. Romualdez on Tuesday, May 2 at the DSWD Central Office.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian administered the oath-taking of newly appointed Undersecretary Josefina H. Romualdez on May 2 at the DSWD Central Office in Batasan, Quezon City.

Undersecretary Romualdez will now take the helm of the Operations Group of the Department.

As the new Undersecretary for Operations,  Usec. Romualdez will oversee the  implementation of the different social welfare and development programs and other services of the Department, as mandated by laws, including the directives from the President and the DSWD Secretary.

Before her appointment, Undersecretary Romualdez served as the Regional Director of the DSWD-Field Office National Capital Region since President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr assumed office in 2022.

With her year-long experience in the operations of the biggest DSWD Field Office, Undersecretary Romualdez has gained the necessary management skills and knowledge to effectively lead the Operations Group of the Department.

Undersecretary Romualdez vowed to serve the public, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized sectors towards the protection and promotion of their rights and welfare, to the best of her ability. #



Karagdagang DSWD satellite office sa Bulacan opisyal nang binuksan ngayong araw

Ngayong araw ay opisyal na binuksan ang kauna-unahang karagdagang satellite office ng DSWD Bulacan sa Star Mall sa siyudad ng San Jose Del Monte (SJDM) para sa mga bulnerable at nangangailangang mamamayan nito. 

Tugon ito ng DSWD Region 3 sa proklamasyon ni DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian na dapat siguraduhin ng DSWD na laging handa ang mga relief goods at iba pang agarang ayuda lalo na sa mga malalayong lugar sa bansa. 

Naging posible ang pagtatatag ng satellite office sa pagtutulungan ng DSWD Region 3, katuwanang ang Office of the Representative of the Lone District, at ang pamahalaang pangsiyudad ng San Jose Del Monte. 

Ang DSWD Region 3 ay patuloy na maghahatid ng Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo para sa mga mamayan ng Gitnang Luzon. ###



DSWD, OPAPRU renew commitment for MILF Normalization Program

Left Photo: DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian (left) and OPAPRU Acting Secretary Isidro Purisima lead the renewal of partnership in the implementation of socio-economic interventions under the MILF Normalization Program on Tuesday, May 2, at the DSWD Central Office.

Right Photo: (From left to right) DSWD Undersecretary for Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns Alan Tanjusay, DSWD Secretary Gatchalian, OPAPRU Acting Secretary Purisima, and Presidential Assistant for Bangsamoro Transformation David Diciano present the newly signed partnership agreement.
 
 

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Acting Secretary Isidro Purisima signed an agreement on Tuesday, May 2, renewing the agencies’ convergence mechanisms towards the fulfillment of the government’s normalization commitments for the former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the two agencies entails a transfer of OPAPRU funds amounting to Php396 million to the DSWD.

The allocation will fund the intended implementation of socio-economic programs for the MILF Decommissioned Combatants (DCs).  Under this agreement, 3,300 MILF DCs will receive Php100,000 each in transitional cash assistance and livelihood grants which they could use for their reintegration into mainstream society.

Both heads of the agencies expressed their commitment to strengthening their partnership to continue the normalization program while exploring other possible areas of collaboration to serve conflict-affected individuals and families and disadvantaged areas towards an inclusive, sustainable and peaceful community.

“We will make sure that inclusive and sustainable peace is an initiative that is not just written on paper but is actually funded and manned properly,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

The DSWD Secretary likewise shared that development initiatives on the side of the peace process are set by the Department to let the “constituents feel the embrace of the national government.”

Acting Secretary Purisima said the OPAPRU immensely appreciates the DSWD’s continued support in the decommissioning process, especially in providing other interventions that complement the government’s efforts in attaining the peace agenda.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa inyo because of the support, especially sa SLP (Sustainable Livelihood Program) na nakatutulong para ma-sustain ang initial gains natin as far as the normalization is concerned (We thank the DSWD for its support, especially its SLP that help sustain our initial gains in the normalization process),” Acting Secretary Purisima said.

The DSWD, as part of its social welfare and development commitments to the normalization program, conducts the needs assessment and case management of the MILF DCs, measuring their responsiveness to the programs, and their progress in the normalization process. Programs available for the MILF DCs include livelihood assistance through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

The DSWD and the OPAPRU continue to envision the development of inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful communities as a by-product of mutual successes of the Normalization Program. #



DSWD, FAO reaffirm partnership to strengthen disaster preparedness

(First Photo) DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian welcomes UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Country Representative Dr. Lionel Dabbadie (fourth from right), Assistant FAO Representative for Programs Tamara Palis-Duran (third from right), Social Policy and Program Coordinator Ruth Honculada-Georget (second from right), and Project Development and Coordination Support Pauline de Guzman during a courtesy visit at the DSWD Central Office on Friday, April 28. Joining the Secretary in welcoming FAO were: (from left) Albert Taule of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps); Evangeline S. Lim of the Resource Generation and Management Office (RGMO); Catherine Lagunday, Head of RGMO; and, Special Assistant to the Secretary on Resource Generation and Management Atty. Maria Paz B. Rafael.

Second Photo (Left) UNFAO Representative Dr. Lionel Dabbadie and Social Policy and Program Coordinator Ruth Honculada-Georget brief Secretary Rex Gatchalian on their programs on disaster preparedness and resiliency. 

Third Photo (Right) DSWD and UN-FAO reaffirm their strong and strategic partnership on disaster preparedness during a courtesy visit at the DSWD Central Office on Friday, April 28.

 

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian met with United Nations-Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO) Country Representative Dr. Lionel Dabbadie, on Friday, April 28, reaffirming their strong and strategic partnership on disaster preparedness.

During the courtesy visit by Dr. Dabbadie, the UN official expressed FAO’s commitment to continue and strengthen the existing partnership with DSWD on the implementation of anticipatory action and shock responsive social protection to the disaster-prone areas in the country.

Dr. Dabbadie was accompanied in his courtesy visit by Assistant FAO Representative for Programs Tamara Palis-Duran and Social Policy and Program Coordinator Ruth Honculada-Georget.

In response, Secretary Gatchalian conveyed to Dr. Dabbadie DSWD’s full support to FAO, as disaster preparedness and provision of immediate assistance to the disaster-affected families are on top of the DSWD’s major thrusts and priorities.

The DSWD and FAO signed a Cooperation Agreement in 2020 establishing the Adaptive and Shock-Responsive Social Protection (ASRSP) in the Philippines that aims to provide a framework towards the adoption of the Philippine Roadmap on Shock Responsive Social Protection, protection of livelihoods, and other potential initiatives relevant to mainstreaming of ASRSP systems and resilience building in the rural sector.

The DSWD is confident that with the strengthened partnership with FAO, more poor families and vulnerable communities will have access to social protection programs that are responsive to their holistic needs. #



DSWD assists first batch of returning overseas Filipinos from Sudan

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) welcomed the first batch of the returning Overseas Filipinos (OFs) from conflict-torn Sudan and immediately provided them with psychosocial intervention as initial assistance upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Saturday, April 29.
On board Qatar Airways Flight No. QR 204, the eight hotel workers in Sudan were identified as Myra R. Castro; Sherly S. Arciga; Arnel N. Nacion; Johnny B. Mariano; Humphrey S. Manipis; Jomel D. Mallari; Marben R. Prila and Vilma B. Loba.
The eight OFs were part of the first batch who escaped the fighting in Sudan after boarding a military evacuation flight launched by the Greek government bound for Athens.
The Philippine Embassy in Athens received them on April 28, and were provided with free plane fare to Manila using the Assistance-To-Nationals Fund.
The DSWD, through its Field Office National Capital Region, with the assistance of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking – Ninoy Aquino International Airport Task Force Against Trafficking (IACAT-NAIATFAT) members immediately, interviewed the repatriated Filipinos and provided them with psychosocial intervention as an initial assistance.
The Department will continue to monitor the situation of the eight OFs, in coordination with the other concerned agencies, to determine other appropriate assistance they will be needing.
The eight OFs are currently staying in a hotel provided by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
As part of the whole-of-government approach, the DSWD will continue to coordinate with concerned national government agencies to assist the remaining OFs who evacuated from Sudan. #


DSWD among signatories of inter-agency MOU for e-governance

Photo caption: The DSWD is one of the signatories of the Memorandum of Understanding in pursuit of e-governance with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and other national government agencies on Tuesday, April 25, at the Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City. (photo from DICT)
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and other national government agencies to improve the delivery of public service through digital transformation.
During the ceremonial signing at the Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City on Tuesday, April 25, the DSWD leadership showed its full support of the Marcos Administration’s vision of One Digitized Government, which aims to streamline government processes and increase its efficiency.
As the national government agency that caters to the needs of different segments of the population, the adoption of digital transformation systems and solutions will greatly assist the DSWD in fulfilling its mandate of delivering social protection packages to Filipino citizens.
“The Department acknowledges the importance of using digital technologies in improving our systems and processes, as well as in ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of government services to the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized,” Special Assistant to the Secretary for e-Governance and ICT Concerns and Chief Information Officer Julius B. Gorospe said as he delivered the message of Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
The DSWD expressed its gratitude to the DICT for entering into this undertaking that will help promote the development and implementation of digital tools for streamlining the delivery of social services.
Among the national government agencies that took a major step in digitizing government processes are the Department of Transportation (DOTr,) Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Bureau of Treasury(BTr), National Printing Office (NPO), PAGIBIG Fund, Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), National Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), Credit Information Corporation (CIC) and GovJobs.ph.
Through this MoU, the  DSWD is hopeful that it could maximize the available technologies and techniques to provide its clients with fast and efficient service. #


DSWD opens new AICS satellite offices to bring services closer to Metro Manila, Bulacan residents

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to open new satellite offices for the processing of its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program in Metro Manila, and Bulacan Province, as part of its commitment to bring various services and interventions closer to Filipinos in difficult circumstances.
“This initiative is one way to decongest our existing AICS payout areas, and to deliver services under AICS directly to our clients from different parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces,” Assistant Secretary for Community Engagement Uly Aguilar said.
Currently, there are two existing AICS processing areas:  the DSWD Central Office in Batasan Road, which services the entire Quezon City and Northern Caloocan areas, and the DSWD Field Office – National Capital Region in Gastambide, Sampaloc, Manila, which covers clients from the cities of  Manila, San Juan, Mandaluyong and Makati.
The new satellite offices will cover the Northern and Southern parts of Metro Manila and will be operational on Thursday, April 27. The Eastern satellite office will become operational at a later date.
The CAMANAVA Satellite Office situated at the Victory Trade Plaza in Monumento will facilitate the request for assistance of clients from the Northern Metro Manila cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela.
The Baclaran Satellite Office located at the Victory Food Market beside Baclaran Church will cater to the residents of the Southern Metro Manila cities of Pasay, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, and Las Piñas.
In addition, the DSWD will also set up remote AICS processing areas in Pasig City and San Jose del Monte (SJDM) City in Bulacan this May.
The Pasig Satellite Office aims to deliver various forms of assistance under the AICS program, directly to clients residing in the Eastern Metro Manila cities of Pasig, Marikina, Taguig and the municipality of Pateros.
Residents from the municipalities of Norzagaray, Sta. Maria, Angat, and the city of SJDM in the province of Bulacan will be serviced  by the SJDM Satellite Office situated at Starmall in Barangay Kaypian, which will be operational on May 3.
AICS serves as a social safety net or a stop-gap mechanism to support the recovery of individuals and families from unexpected crises such as illness or death of a family member, natural and man-made disasters, and other crisis situations.
The initiative of putting up remote processing areas is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.  to provide assistance to the poor and vulnerable in the easiest and fastest way possible. #


DSWD to form Digital Transformation Team from the ranks of IT experts, professionals

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to form its Digital Transformation (DX) Team, which will be composed of talented and passionate professionals and experts from various Information and Communications Technology (ICT) disciplines, to play an integral role in revolutionizing social service delivery across the country.
As part of the DSWD’s digital transformation strategy and Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s “Ease of Doing Social Welfare” vision, the DX team will work on a wide range of innovative projects aimed at streamlining processes, enhancing accessibility and improving efficiency.
The DSWD leadership is committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to create a seamless, user-friendly experience for beneficiaries that will ultimately impact the lives of millions of Filipinos.
Currently, the Department is still in the process of establishing the team and is inviting applications from experts and professionals in various fields, including full-stack web development, UI/UX design, software quality engineering, cybersecurity, data privacy, project management, and enterprise architecture, who are interested to become part of the DX Team.
The DSWD aims to hire professionals who possess a strong desire to foster positive change through technology and contribute to a brighter future for the vulnerable and marginalized sectors.
Successful applicants will have the unique opportunity to work alongside a dedicated team of experts, collaborate with domestic and international agencies and access valuable resources and global best practices.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the DSWD website at [https://jobs.dswd.gov.ph] for detailed job descriptions, qualifications and application procedures. Applications will be accepted until the given deadline of each vacant position.
The DSWD looks forward to welcoming innovative and passionate individuals to its DX team and revolutionizing the future of social services in the Philippines.
By joining DSWD’s digital transformation journey, professionals can enhance their career prospects while making a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of Filipinos. #