DSWD FO III: Begging and Giving Alms in the Streets, Prohibited by the Law

PAMPANGA, Philippines. DSWD FO III, other agencies, Promotes Anti-Mendicancy Law, Maintains Christmas Spirit among Indigenous People

This Yuletide season is said to be the happiest time in the Philippines. For most of us, it is the season for giving and sharing. However, it is also being observed that this is also the time when Indigenous People (IPs) are more visible in the most populous places in the city as well as in the main high-ways. They are seen practicing mendicancy by asking for alms.

The presence of such activity signals the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office III (DSWD FO III) to activate its campaign on Anti-Mendicancy Law (PD 1563) a law “Establishing an Integrated System for the Control and Eradication of Mendicancy, Providing Penalties, Appropriating Funds therefor, and for other purposes”. This law prohibits both the act of begging and giving of alms.

The said campaign aims to promote and protect the best interest of Children. Aside from being exploited to seek sympathy from the public, they are also being placed in dangerous situations especially in the streets. However, Dr. Emma P. Dionisio, Medical Officer III of the National Commission on indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Region III), shared that IPs do not consider this as begging but an act of “Pakikipamasko”.

With this, the Anti-Mendicancy Task Force in Region III conducted the 2nd Donors’ Forum on 9 November 2018 in City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Different government agencies and private corporations banded together to offer IPs in region III something to remember this Christmas. The task force was able to gather 25,000 pesos cash and in-king pledges such as 100 family food packs worth 500 pesos each, kitchen wares, school supplies, random donation boxes from several NGAs and more which they will deliver in the up-land areas of the target IPs.

“Let’s extend our pagmamalasakit to them not because they are IPs but because they humans like us,” said Director William Beltram, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region III before opening the IP exhibit.. Enjoined in the task force are DSWD, NCIP, PIA, Commission on Human Rights, Philhealth, Philippine National Police, Provincial and Local Government Agencies, FAITH Pharma, CLTV36, Kapampangan Development Foundation, among others.

 

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Road to 2018 HAP Awards: DSWD FO III Bulacan Bags CSC’s Regional Pag-asa Award

Then and again, DSWD DPEO Bulacan bagged another recognition during the Civil Service Comission’s Search for Outstanding Government Worker 2018 or the “Honor Awards Program: Hero ang Public Servant”. They were awarded as the regional winner of Pag-asa Group Category.

DPEO Bulacan with DSWD FO III Regional Director Gemma B, Gabuya

Based on the criteria of the said search, DSWD FO III’s DPEO Bulacan exhibited, Noteworthiness of Outstanding Performance/Contribution, Impact of Performance/Achievement,  Reliability and Effectiveness, Consistency of Performance, Demonstrated Teamwork, Cooperation, Camaraderie and Cohesiveness. As the inspiring words of Dir. Nelson G. Sarmiento, CSC Region III, said, “They [honories] are doing something greater than their lives… these heroes are ordinary people like us who are doing extraordinary things.”

Congratulations, DSWD DPEO Bulacan, for being the regional winner for CSC Pag-asa Awards – Group Category!

May this award be an inspiration to continue our commitment to Serbisyong may Malasakit.

DPEO Bulacan is being supervised by its Provincial Team Leader Feliza V. Esguerra under the leadership of DSWD Field Office III Regional Director Gemma B. Gabuya.




Press Release: DSWD Field Office III Prepares for the Super Typhoon Ompong

Super Typhoon Mangkhut’s is expected to hit the area of Cagayan-Batanes on September 15, on Saturday. It will be locally named as Ompong upon entering the Philippine area of responsibility.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the said typhoon might bring rains over Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, and heavy rains and strong winds in Northern and parts of Central Luzon beginning tomorrow, September 13, 2018, Thursday.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) being the lead agency on social welfare and protection, through the Disaster Response Assistance Management Bureau (DReAMB) is operationally preparing the necessary interventions.

The agency is continually monitoring the weather conditions and maintaining its coordination with its regional counterparts.

For Central Luzon, DSWD Field Office (FO) III had already prepositioned a total of 8,000 Family Food Packs (FFP) in its different Local Government Units (LGUs), mostly in the province of Aurora.

In line with the Republic Act 7160, (or the Local Government Code of 1991), the LGUs have the prerogative to secure and generate their resources to perform their functions, alongside with the augmentation of the National Government Agencies (NGAs). Hence, the LGUs are expected to be the frontliners during Disaster Response.

In addition, DSWD FO IV-A (CALABARZON) will also augment a total of 5,000 FFP since some of the resources of the DSWD FO III were exhausted due to the previous typhoons that hit Central Luzon.

Up-to-date, the LGU of Concepcion, Tarlac requested for a total of 1,000 FFP for their municipality, as part of their disaster-response grounding.

 




Road to 2018 HAP Awards: Hero ang Public Servant

The DSWD Provincial Extension Office of Bulacan (DPEO Bulacan) was recognized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development during its 2017 PRAISE Awards as Best Operations Office. The award was given early in 2018. This is the recognition of exemplary DSWD employees for their commitment and dedication to public service through the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) 2017.

The DPEO Bulacan together with RD Gemma B. Baguya during the 2017 PRAISE Awards

This achievement brought motivation and overflowing inspiration for DSWD Field Office III – but it doesn’t stop there. DPEO Bulacan was nominated in Civil Service Comission’s Search for Outstanding Government Worker 2018 or the “Honor Awards Program: Hero ang Public Servant”

The nominee falls under the category: Civil Service Commission Pagasa (Pagasa) Award (Group Category). The deserving awardee should exhibit outstanding contribution/s resulting from an idea or performance that directly benefit more than one.

The following are the criteria for the said award:

  1. Noteworthiness of Outstanding Performance/Contribution – The degree of uniqueness and originality of outstanding performance or contribution/s.
  2. Impact of Performance/Achievement – The extent to which the idea, suggestion, innovation or invention is being used and its result; the number of persons who benefited; the paradigm shift it has caused and the amount of money saved.
  3. Reliability and Effectiveness – The extent to which the innovation/idea has effectively and efficiently addressed a pressing need/improved service delivery.
  4. Consistency of Performance – The degree of consistency manifested by consistent outstanding performance based on historical data/work record.
  5. Demonstrated Teamwork, Cooperation, Camaraderie and Cohesiveness (for group nominations) – The extent the group members motivate and support each other or the degree to which group members positively influence each other.

What does DPEO Bulacan has to be deserving of this award? Do they have what it takes to oust other regional nominees? Find out all about them and follow their story in our official website and Facebook account from August 30 – September 12, 2018.

DPEO Bulacan is being supervised by its Provincial Team Leader Feliza V. Esguerra under the leadership of DSWD Field Office III Regional Director Gemma B. Gabuya.




Day Care Workers’ Welfare ASSERTED During Their 36th Regional Assembly

“Naging magulang kayo [Day Care Workers], hindi naging teachers – ‘yan ang hindi natin matatawaran. You are our unsung heroes,” said Director Gemma B. Gabuya of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office III in her inspirational message. This remark raised the morale of some 2,400 Day Care Workers who attended the 36th Regional Assembly of Daycare Workers held in Nueva Ecija Convention Center, Palayan City on 7 June 2018.

Theme: Sa pagpapaunlad at pagbabago ng kabataan, Child Development Worker na may malasakit ang kailangan.

The Unsung Heroes
Exactly 40 years ago, Day Care was developed by DSWD to provide child protection. This concept was created to serve the poor families who cannot afford to hire a yaya to look after their children while parents are trying their best to be economically productive. This was further institutionalized through Presidential Decree (PD) 1567 or the Barangay Day Care Center Law of 1978.
Their primary role is to foster an ideal setting for early child care and development. “Hindi biro ang magdevelop ng 3-4 years-old na mga bata,” affirms Dir. Gabuya. In fact, the first years of a child are considered the most fortunate and crucial stage in a person’s growth and development. This is why Ms. Elvira Ronquillo, PSWDO of Nueva Ecija believes that Day Care Workers have a big part on whatever the children will achieve in the future.
As of this writing, there is around 4,000 Day Care Workers in Central Luzon.
Legal Bases
Aside from PD 1567, the following are notable national laws and policies which support the need to protect and promote the welfare and development of Filipino children were identified by Ms. Elizabeth Baybayan, PSWDO of Pampanga:
  • PD 603 (The Child and Youth Welfare Code of 1974)
  • Republic Act (RA) 6972 (Barangay Level Total Development and Protection of Children of 1990)
  • RA 8980 (Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Act of 2000)
  • RA 10410 (Early Years Act of 2013).
These policies recognize ages zero (0) to eight (8) years-old as a crucial stage for educational development, strengthen the ECCD System, and appropriate funds for their respective implementation. Ms. Joanne Guerrero, ECCD Focal Person of PSWDO Pampanga, highlighted the fact that “Day Care Workers, who are also referred to as Child Development Workers (RA 10410), play a vital role in the implementation of these laws as well as in the facilitation of children’s overall growth and development.” However, there are no laws passed yet to institutionalize the employment of Day Care Workers.

Ms. Joanne Guerrero, ECCD Focal Person of PSWDO Pampanga presenting their concept paper.

The Pressing Situation
It is with no doubt; Day Care Workers are needed for nation building but Ms. Guerrero asked, “What if these employed child development workers are not able to get the just compensation, humane working conditions, and supportive supervision that our government promises to ensure?”
PSWDO of Pampanga conducted a Profiling of Day Care Workers from 2015 to 2017 that gave a clear picture of the current status of the DCWs in the province. The following are the highlights of their report:
  • 58 or 8.87% day care workers are 56 years old and above but still without retirement benefits;
  • 530 or 81 % graduated in college. This could mean that ECCD can be an option of the professionals;
  • Only 129 or 21.39% of the day care workers receive a total monthly subsidy/salary amounting to P6,001 – P7,000 from the barangay, municipal and provincial level. That’s less than a quarter of the DCWs;
  • 569 or 87% of the day care workers are non-plantilla – this vast majority belongs in any of the following statuses: job order, subsidy or volunteer. Only 56 or 8.56% are permanent and 29 or 4.43% are casual;
  • 58 or 8.87% day care workers have given 26-30 years in service while 23 or 3.52% have dedicated 36-40 years in their jobs.
“It has been years since the implementation of the laws covering the development and protection of our children. However, majority of our Day Care Workers are still regarded as unsung heroes of this country.”
The Advocacy
It was November last year when the House of Representatives approved on the third and final reading of House Bill No. 6550 which seeks to establish a Magna Carta for Day Care Workers. The said bill stipulated the following:
  • PROVISION OF PLANTILLA POSITIONS
  • IMPROVE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC WELL-BEING DCWs
  • OVERTIME PAY
  • HAZARD ALLOWANCE
  • SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE
  • SOCIAL INSURANCES SUCH AS GSIS, PAG-IBIG, PHILHEALTH
According to Guerrero, they believe that providing a just compensatory measure for our Day Care Workers secures not just the workers themselves but also the continuity of the ECCD as a program. LGUs’ commitment and responsiveness to this call will not only benefit its citizens but also its standing and reputation in the provision of good quality childcare.
Fun-filled DCWs Regional Assembly
Different DCWs sub-federations from provinces and cities shared good practices such as the creation of some permanent positions in the local level, conduct of different activities and above-standard facilities and infrastructures.
The highlight of the assembly was the regional choral competition. All performers were all dressed up in fancy costumes. All of them sung Filipino nursery songs and made them sound as sophisticated as can be. Mabalacat City won the city federation category while Nueva Ecija for the provincial category.

Photo opportunity for the winners with Elena Carreon, Regional Nutritionist of DSWD FO III and Elizabeth Baybayan, PSWDO of Pampanga