HANDING OVER RESPONSIBILITIES. Newly-installed Regional Director of DSWD Field Office IV-A, Director Leticia Diokno (center), listens to the message of out-going Director Wilma D. Naviamos prior to the handing-over of the Field Office Flag and other documents during the simple installation ceremony last January 8, 2013. DSWD Undersecretary Parisya Taradji (left) and other partners in the local government units and non-government organizations witnessed the activity.***

The Department of Social Welfare and Development recently conducted an installation ceremony for the new Regional Director for Field Office IV-A (CALABARZON Region), Dir. Leticia T. Diokno ,held at the Field Office in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, and witnessed by DSWD Undersecretary Parisya Taradji, partner agencies and staff.

“I accept the challenge,” this was what Dir. Diokno said in her speech during the said activity.

Director Diokno, who was previously Regional Director of DSWD Field Office VIII, assumes the position and responsibility previously held by Director Wilma Naviamos, who now serves as the Regional Director for Field Office IV-B (MIMAROPA Region)

According to Dir. Diokno, she is overwhelmed with the accomplishments of the Field Office for the past years, and it is a big challenge for her to keep and continue leading the Region moving forward.

“Leading the Region away from my family requires strong emotions, but your full acceptance of me as new director, your active participation, team work, and network with other partners will render our work effective. I will continue what Director Naviamos did and will introduce new strategies to further the goals of the Region,” she said during her acceptance speech.

Also, she asked the cooperation of the Field Office staff to continuously apply the DSWD mantra which is to cooperate, collaborate and communicate in the daily work activities.

Aside from Undersecretary Tradji, other DSWD officials who witnessed the installation ceremony were Protective Services Bureau Director Dulfie Tobias-Shalim and Poverty Reduction Programs Bureau Director Honorita Bayudan. The said official assured the new director of the assistance and support of the Central and Field Office staff.

“With the support of the local government units, partner agencies and civil society organizations, you (Dir. Diokno) will be able to meet the challenges in Region IV-A,” USec. Taradji said.

Welcoming and showing support to the new Regional Director are heads of DSWD partner agencies including Dir. Agnes Espinas of NEDA, Dir. Lorna Dino of DepEd, Dir. Edgardo Gonzaga of DOH, Dir. Art Gabriel of Parole and Probation, Dir. Karen Santiago of NNC and Dir. Vicente Tomazar of OCD. Other partners present during the ceremony include provincial social welfare and development officers of Quezon, Laguna and Batangas, municipal/city social welfare officers and representatives of non-government agency partners such as ABSNET Rizal, Zobel Foundation-Calatagan, St. John Calabria Rizal and CGM Home of Joy.***