The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office IV-A celebrates its 66th Founding Anniversary last February 14-15, 2017 at Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

With the theme: “May Malasakit”, the two-day celebration highlighted the successes of the Department in improving the capacity of its stakeholders as well as recognized the efforts of both partners and staff in ensuring the quality of the delivery of programs and services to those in need.

In her State of the Region Address, DSWD IV-A Regional Director Leticia T. Diokno reported the accomplishments of the region from the previous year. This signifies the effectiveness of the various strategies and interventions of the Department and other development partners.

By the end of 2016, 1,254 Pantawid household-beneficiaries have improved their status from survival to subsistence while 100,860 of the beneficiaries moved from subsistence to self-sufficiency.

32,518 of these Pantawid family-beneficiaries were served with microenterprise and employment facilitation through the Sustainable Livelihood Program, a core social protection program of the Department.

In terms of the access to the social welfare and development (SWD) programs, 343,222 of the poor households in the region, identified by the DSWD’s Listahanan targeting system are covered by at least two SWD programs and services.

In order to ensure the delivery of SWD services, the functionality of the local social welfare and development offices (LSWDOs) were assessed in terms of their program operations and management. As of 2016, ten of the LSWDOs in the region are classified fully functional.

As part of the first day of the celebration, the Department recognized its valuable and distinguished partners for their commitment and magnanimous support toward the Department’s endeavor to help the poor and the disadvantaged.

A total of 71 donors, civil society organizations, people’s organizations, local government units and national government agencies received the Salamat Po! and PaNata Awards.

The Salamat Po! Awards were given to partners who gave support and assistance to the implementation of the Department’s programs and services. Likewise, the Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan or PaNata Awards were given to partners who exhibited exemplary contributions to achieve the Department’s goals.

Awards include best volunteer, best public-private partnership, best initiative and best non-government organizations.

In recognition to these partners, DSWD’s Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns Jose Antonio Hernandez emphasized in his message the importance of their initiatives and innovations in improving the services for the stakeholders. According to him, their efforts signify their genuine intention and heart to help the poor and the vulnerable communities in the region.

Another part of the celebration is the awarding of the DSWD staff who rendered transcendent public service for the Department’s beneficiaries and clients.

A total of 37 retirees, loyalty and service awardees were recognized during the PRogram on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence or PRAISE Awarding ceremony.

The PRAISE awards were given to staff who exhibited outstanding performance and benevolent service for the beneficiaries and clients of the Department.

Ms. Mary Magdalene Peyes, one of the awardees, shared her experience as part of the Department for 35 years.

“I am truly grateful to the people who became part of my life as a social worker. Ever since, the Department and my mentors have nurtured me and helped me hone my skills and knowledge to be able to provide a dedicated service to the people”, she said.

DSWD staff from the field office and the five provinces in CALABARZON participated during the second day of the celebration.

As part the program, the provinces performed their respective festivals namely Sublian, Higantes, Niyogyugan and Paru-Paro festival. The performances exhibited their creativity and resourcefulness. Subsequently, a communal meal or boodle fight was prepared for lunch.

During the afternoon, the staff further demonstrated their camaraderie and sportsmanship in the “Palaro ng Lahi” or Filipino games.

“More that the oath as public servants, we are here in DSWD because each one of us has the heart to serve the disadvantaged regardless of the challenges. Thus, we continue to ensure that our service is “maagap at mapagkalinga,” may patas na pagtrato sa komunidad,” at “tapat at walang puwang sa katiwalian”, a service that is “May Malasakit”, said Dir. Diokno.