The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office IV-A acknowledged the contributions of all partners and staff in the delivery of various programs and services to the clients during the Field Office’s celebration of the agency’s 65th Anniversary last February 12 in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
With the theme “Mga kwentong tagumpay tungo sa masaganang pagbabago,” the DSWD highlighted the stories of change of the partner-beneficiaries of different programs and services as well as the role of the staff and partners, including national government agencies, local government units (LGUs) and civil society organizations, in the achievement of such change.
In her message to the guests, DSWD IV-A Regional Director Leticia T. Diokno thanked all the partners and the staff who continuously work together with the Department.
“Kami sa DSWD ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa inyo dahil kaisa kayo sa mga kwento ng tagumpay ng ating mga benepisyaryo. Sana ay patuloy nating paigtingin ang ating pagsisilbi sa kanila at sama-sama tayong makibahagi sa kanilang mga kwento sa pagkamit ng masaganang pagbabago,” said Dir. Diokno.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Rodolfo Santos, who was the guest speaker during the celebration, also encouraged strengthened partnerships among other agencies, LGUs and private organizations.
“Sana ay patuloy ang inyong pagsuporta dahil alam naman nating hindi kakayanin ng iisang Kagawaran lamang ang pagtulong sa mga mahihirap para sila ay maiangat mula sa kahirapan. Sama-sama tayong magtulungan para mas maging posible ang mga kwento ng tagumpay,” he said.
‘Mga kwento ng tagumpay’
During the celebration, Dir. Diokno reported the highlights of accomplishments of the Field Office in the previous year.
She cited that the agency has served 328,256 families in the region under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, one of the core poverty reduction programs implemented by the DSWD that supports the needs on health, nutrition and education of children age zero to 18.
She also highlighted the various programs and services geared towards helping improve the living condition of poor families and communities including the 28,222 beneficiaries of the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and the 414 community projects implemented under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan—Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services.
Amie Catabay, 40, a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilya and SLP, shared that she is glad that she was provided an opportunity to help improve the living condition of her family through the cash grants for the health and education of her children and the capital assistance for their community store project.
“Alam naming hindi panghabambuhay ang tulong ng gobyerno kaya nagsisikap kami na makatayo sa aming sariling paa. Lahat kami ay nagsisikap para walang maiwan sa kahirapan,” shared Catabay in a video documentation of her life, along 70 other mothers in Imus City, Cavite Province who started a community store under the SLP.
Further, Dir. Diokno emphasized that in the provision of programs and services, the government is not leaving any sector behind. The DSWD continuously provides services to the children, women, senior citizens, persons with disability and indigenous peoples.
Ana Marlin, 39, a Sama-Bajau beneficiary of the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer and the Comprehensive Program for Sama-Bajau from Batangas City, shared that she is grateful for the help being provided to their tribe.
“Dati, hindi kami pinapansin ng gobyerno. Pero ngayon, tinutulungan na kami para makaahon kami sa kahirapan,” shared Marlin.
Acknowledgement of partners, staff
The DSWD also acknowledged various stakeholders in the implementation of the different programs and services of the Department.
Given Salamat Po Award, a commendation of donors / resource agencies and volunteers who provided assistance in the Department’s delivery of services, include the International Organization for Migration, Gardenia Bakeries Philippines, Inc. and Chosen Children Village Foundation, among others.
The Field Office also awarded a commendation to Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto as the Most Supportive Local Chief Executive in the region for her support in all DSWD programs and services being implemented in the province.
Gov. Recto also provided monthly incentives to all parent leaders of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Batangas Province as acknowledgement of their hard work in assisting Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in complying with the conditions of the program.
Other awardees include all five provincial LGUs, Antipolo City LGU, partner national government agencies and LGUs of cities and municipalities that provided support in the implementation of DSWD programs and services.
Also given recognition during the celebration are employees who have rendered service with excellence and those who showed commitment through their years of loyalty to the agency.#