Botolan, Zambales — Ngayong araw ginanap ang Bagong Pipinas Serbisyo Fair na naglalayong mailapit ang iba’t-ibang programa at serbisyo ng gobyerno sa mga residente ng Zambales.

Bilang parte nito, kalahok ang Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 3 – Central Luzon sa Serbisyo Fair upang maghatid ng financial assistance, sa tinatayang 21,000 na indibidwal mula ikalawang distrito (Botolan, Iba, San Narciso, Cabangan, San Felipe, Masinloc, Palauig, Candelaria, Sta. Cruz, San Antonio) ng Zambales at karagdagang 8,000 na residente naman mula sa unang distrito (Olongapo, Castillejos, Subic, at San Marcelino).

Ang mga benepisyaryo ay mula sa sektor ng mga magsasaka, kababaihan, mga mag-aaral, at iba pa. Gayundin, nakatanggap ang 13 benepisyaryo Sustainable Livelihood Program ng Seed Capital Fund na nagkakahalaga ng ₱195,000.00. Dagdag pa rito, handog ang material assistance na 10,000 family food packs para sa iba pang residente ng probinsya.

Dagdag ng Regional Director Venus F. Rebuldela “Hinahatid natin ang mga serbisyo ng DSWD sa Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair para ilapit sa lahat ng mga Zambaleño para sa maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo na hatid ng mga angels in red vests Commitment ng DSWD ang paghahatid ng mga serbisyo; AICS, SLP, atbp programa tulad ng Supplemental Feeding Program na iniimplement ng kagawaran.” ###

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday (January 5) renewed its commitment to the Filipino people in providing stronger social services that will be able to adapt with the changing socio-economic landscape this 2024.

According to DSWD Asst. Secretary for Legislative Affairs Irene Dumlao, who is also the agency’s co-spokesperson, the DSWD’s budget for 2024 amounting to Php245 billion will be used to fund existing social welfare and development programs and services, as well as implement agency innovations on digital transformation.

“Under the leadership of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the agency will focus on the development  and deployment of automated systems for its priority frontline services,  streamline benefit disbursement, and promote financial inclusion,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

For 2024, the Department will also prioritize the retooling of its existing programs to be more inclusive and adaptive to the changing needs of target beneficiaries. Among the programs that will be retooled are the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Program, the Tara Basa! Tutoring Program, the Oplan Pag-Abot Program, and the Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program (FSP).

Under the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps), the DSWD will continue its provision of interventions to graduating and exiting 4Ps beneficiaries, in partnership with local government units (LGUs), and monitor their level of well-being to ensure that they will not slide back to poverty.

In terms of capacity building, the Department looks forward to the full operation of the DSWD Academy this year to capacitate LGUs and social welfare agencies in their provision of social protection services, which will in turn, advance the practice of social work and community development in the country.

Asst. Sec. Dumlao said the DSWD will also be launching the Buong Bansa Handa Program, a new disaster preparedness program that will bolster the existing disaster supply chain of the government through public and private partnership.

Apart from its new disaster preparedness program, the DSWD will also boost its disaster response and management operations as it  is set to inaugurate the new Disaster Response Command Center (DRCC), a centralized hub that will operate 24/7 for disaster monitoring, reporting, data and information management, and relief efforts between the DSWD Central Office and its Field Offices, the  agency co-spokesperson said.

“Through these programs, the Department assures the public of a stronger and more efficient delivery of social welfare and development services that will be able to uplift the lives of Filipinos in need this 2024,” Asst Sec. Dumlao said. #

During the 2023 Culmination Night of the National Human Rights Consciousness Week (NHRCW) led by the Commission on Human Rights,  DSWD Field Office 3 – Central Luzon Protective Services Division was given the Special Citation for Gawad Tanggol Karapatan as part of the Gawad Karapatang Pantao 2023. 

Chairperson Richard P. Palpal-Latoc shared in his speech, “We applaud your exceptional demonstration of intelligence and the indispensable attitude required to actualize the state’s obligation to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights. Each awardee has become a beacon of inspiration embodying the principles and shrine in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” 

The Gawad Tanggol Karapatan is conferred to an individual or group of individuals working within the government agency whose program has exceptionally contributed to the protection of human rights.

The observance of the celebration of NHRCW and 75th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) aim to promote and protect human rights, along with different civil society and people’s organizations and government agencies the culmination night was held to uplift the duty bearers and right holders in fulfilling their obligations to human rights.###

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. #