Newly appointed Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian outlined his major thrusts and priorities to improve the quality of service of the Agency for the poor and the vulnerable sectors, during his first press briefing on Friday, February 3, at the DSWD Central Office.

To better serve the clients, Secretary Gatchalian said that he will focus on further streamlining and digitizing the systems and processes of the programs and services being implemented by the Department.

Food stamps: aid with dignity

The Secretary also stressed that the priority is to address hunger in the fight against poverty. Secretary Gatchalian added the idea is to locate those in need and provide them food stamps, instead of food boxes, to avoid lining up in adverse conditions.

The Secretary, however, stressed that the concept is still being developed.

Strengthening systems and communication initiatives

Furthermore, Secretary Gatchalian also plans to set up logistics networks for relief goods and family food packs in strategic locations, even in the smallest and farthest areas in the country to provide immediate and prompt assistance to the families that will be affected by disasters and calamities. He also mentioned bringing the private sector in to help and contribute to the Department’s disaster preparedness and response operations.

To combat misinformation and to guarantee that clients and stakeholders will receive accurate and credible information, Secretary Gatchalian plans to strengthen the communication efforts of the DSWD by setting up BOT or automated software in the official communication channels of the Agency that will give real-time updates and announcements from the Department. He added that it is important to create a culture where the public will only rely on relevant and official channels for their source of information.

The Secretary also plans to visit the different Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCFs) of the DSWD to ensure that residents are being well taken care of and that there are enough social workers, house parents, and medical professionals to assist them.

The new head of the Department reiterated that he will work with the existing and competent workforce of the Department to ensure that the services of the DSWD will not be hampered.

Lastly, the Secretary said that the Department is currently working on perfecting the ideas/concept for the new programs and assured the media that he will share them once finalized. ###

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Officer-in-Charge Eduardo M. Punay (2nd from left) and UP Law Center Dean Edgardo Carlo Vistan II (2nd from right), together with DSWD Operations Group Undersecretary Jerico Francis Javier (left) and Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs Assistant Secretary Roussel Reyes (right), present the signed Memorandum of Agreement on the implementation of the Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance right after the agreement signing on Monday, January 30 at the UP Diliman College of Law.

In its continuing efforts to protect the welfare of every Filipino child, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) forged a partnership with the University of the Philippines (UP) Law Center on the implementation of the Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance.

The partnership was sealed through the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on January 30, 2023 at the UP Diliman College of Law. The MOA was signed by DSWD Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Eduardo M. Punay and UP Law Center Dean Edgardo Carlo Vistan II and was witnessed by DSWD Operations Group Undersecretary Jerico Francis Javier and Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs Assistant Secretary Roussel Reyes.

The Convention aims to ensure the effective international recovery of child support and other forms of family maintenance by providing a system of close coordination and cooperation between contracting parties around the world; better access to cross-border maintenance procedures through services and any free legal assistance; and expedited and simplified procedures for recognition and enforcement, among others. Furthermore, it will facilitate the applications of individuals seeking child support, and to a limited basis, spousal support from foreign parents or spouses, as well as the efficient recognition and enforcement of support decisions even if rendered by foreign courts.

Through the Convention, Filipino families may seek assistance from DSWD, as the Central Authority of the Philippines, to locate their foreign or Filipino spouses residing abroad to obtain support for their child or children. Likewise, foreign nationals may also ask for assistance, through their respective Central Authority, to locate their Filipino or non-Filipino spouses, if alleged here in the Philippines, to provide support for their child or children.

In his message during the signing ceremony, OIC Punay expressed the Department’s gratitude to the UP Law Center and stated the importance of the implementation of the Child Support Convention. He said, “With this Convention in place, we will be able to assist the families to locate, apply, process, and claim child support for the left-behind child or children from his or her foreign parent or Filipino parent residing outside the Philippines.”

For his part, Dean Edgardo Carlo Vistan II, said, “As I also welcome you all to the signing ceremony, allow me to assure you, our colleagues in the DSWD as well as in the DFA, that as we enter into this partnership, we are ready and eager to roll up our sleeves and begin the work with you to ensure that the needs and the best interest of children all over the world are addressed,” he said.

As the designated Central Authority of the Philippines, the DSWD shall transmit and receive applications from the “creditor” or the family requesting child support, and from the “debtor” or the legally obliged provider; initiate or facilitate the institution of proceedings of the applications; and shall provide assistance in locating the debtor or the creditor, obtaining documentary requirements, collecting and transferring the provided support, among others.

Meanwhile, the UP Law Center will provide assistance on the applications requiring legal assessment and advice; obtaining documentary requirements or other evidence; and facilitating the ongoing enforcement of maintenance decisions, including any arrears, as well as collection and expeditious transfers of maintenance payments.

The DSWD vowed to continue to make a difference in the lives of poor and disadvantaged Filipinos, especially vulnerable families and their children. ###

Some of the victim-survivors of child labor who were identified and provided with various interventions in Carcar City, Cebu Province by DSWD-Field Office VII through the Strategic Help Desks for Information, Education, Livelihood, and other Developmental Interventions or SHIELD Against Child Labor.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Strategic Help Desks for Information, Education, Livelihood, and other Developmental Interventions or SHIELD Against Child Labor, identified some 1,400 victim-survivors of child labor in 2022 and provided them with services and interventions that are suitable to their needs.

Through the SHIELD program, the identified child laborers were provided with holistic and immediate interventions at the community level including the provision of educational assistance from the DSWD and case referrals to other government agencies.

The program implementers from the different DSWD-Field Offices are using multi-layered strategies under the SHIELD program to help address child labor, particularly its worst forms. The components of this program include the establishment of helpdesks at the barangay level and a local registry system on child labor for referral and convergence of support services, ensuring that immediate and appropriate interventions are available at hand.

Meanwhile, the DSWD continues the implementation of the SHIELD Against Child Labor across all regions of the Philippines to assist child laborers and as part of its efforts to help eliminate child labor in the country.

This community-based project, which was pilot tested in 2017, is now institutionalized and is being implemented in 16 DSWD Field Offices throughout the country since 2021. The Field Offices will directly collaborate with their partner local government units in the implementation of SHIELD against Child Labor in their areas to further expand the scope of the program

Through the initiatives of the SHIELD against Child Labor, the DSWD is committed to protect children from becoming victims of child labor. ###

Pormal ng naturn-over ni Sustainable Livelihood Program Bataan Provincial Coordinator Ricky F. Gacayan kasama ang mga kinatawan ang kita ng mga kalahok na benepisyaro, tinanggap ni Flora Jonson ang 16,235.00 at ni Rose Ann David ang 2,190.00.

Ayon kay Flora, “Taos puso ang aking pasasalamat sa mga tumangkilik ng aking mga produkto at opportunidad na mai-market at makilala ang aking produkto.” Ayon sa mga kina Flora at Rose ay naging magandang pagkakaton din ang isinagawang aktibidad upang mas mapagbuti ang kanilang produkto batay sa mga komento at mungkahi ng mga mamimili.

Layunin ng isinagawang Entrepreneurial Activity na mabigyan ng pagkakataonang mga benepisyaryo ng SLP na mapakilala ang kanilang produkto at maipakita ang kanilang kasanayan sa napiling kabuhayan. ###

Mr. Vincent P. Eltagon (2nd from right), Administrative Officer IV of the Administrative Service (AS) General Services Division is holding the accomplished checklist handed over by the Department of Energy (DOE) representative, Senior Science Research Specialist Simon S. Leonor (2nd from left), as a result of the spot check indicating 100% compliance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with the government’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) measures.  Also in photo, from left: Mr. John Michael L. de Pedro, Administrative Officer III, AS Building and Grounds Management Division; and Engr. Ronald T. Vegim, Administrative Officer V, AS Building and Grounds Management Division.

In a spot check conducted by the Department of Energy (DOE) on January 19, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Central Office (DSWD-CO) was assessed to be 100% compliant with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EEC) program of the national government.

DOE Senior Science Research Specialist, Simon S. Leonor, conducted the spot check, while Administrative Service Director Karina Antonette A. Agudo led the team which presented the EEC efforts of the DSWD.

As part of the audit, Leonor conducted interviews as to electricity and energy saving measures, as well as assessed the DSWD-CO facilities.  The DSWD representatives, on the other hand, explained the Department’s EEC guidelines, which include the strict implementation of fuel consumption measures.

After the spot check, the DOE announced that the DSWD conformed to the energy saving requirements and standards of the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP).  Furthermore, Leonor informed the Department that in case savings will be generated from the DSWD’s energy saving efforts, it may request for a Certification from DOE which will serve to support the realignment of the said savings, subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management.

The DSWD expressed its gratitude for the DOE’s spot check and acknowledgment of the Department’s efforts.  The Department commits to strengthen coordination activities with the Field Offices on the EEC program compliance, as well as in the regular uploading of monthly consumption reports at the DOE online portal.

The Department further ascertained its appreciation for the GEMP and for the standards presented by the DOE in ensuring that the DSWD is supportive to the energy saving initiatives of the government, which is an affirmation also to climate change mitigation measures. ###

Mahigit 7.5 million ang nakalaang pondo ng Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan, Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KALAHI-CIDSS KKB) para sa Casiguran, Aurora. Lahat ng 24 na barangay nito ay pwedeng makagamit sa nasabing halaga na pangangasiwaan ng mismong mga mamamayan. 

Tampok ito sa idinaos ang Municipal Orientation ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sa SB Session Hall, Municipal Grounds, Casiguran, Aurora.

Sa pahayag ni Casiguran Mayor Roynald S. Soriano, nagpasalamat siya sa Departamento dahil lubos na makakatulong ang programang ito sa kanyang mga nasasakupan, “Maraming salamat po sa pagpili sa aming bayan para sa implementasyon ng programang ito. Naniniwala po ako na ito ay para sa ikabubuti ng aming mga kababayan dito,” aniya.

Ang KALAHI-CIDSS KKB ay isang programa ng DSWD kung saan ang mga mamamayan ng isang komunidad ang magtutukoy ng kanilang mga problema at mangangasiwa ng mga solusyon para dito. Para sa iba pang impormayon tungkol sa programa, magtungo sa https://www.facebook.com/DSWDKALAHICIDSS.

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