THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has underscored its continuing and future-ready social protection programs as part of its Diamond Jubilee, marking the agency’s 75 years of service to the Filipinos.
The DSWD said Secretary Rex Gatchalian, a long-time Valenzuela City mayor and lawmaker, was also celebrating his third year as its chief and as a member of the Cabinet of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Gatchalian said he has been grateful to the president for the chance “to serve the country and the Filipino people as DSWD secretary.”
Undersecretary Fatima Aliah Dimaporo of DSWD’s Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Group underscored the department’s mandate to serve the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged sectors.
“Clearly, the mission of the DSWD is to develop, implement social protection programs for the Philippines, particularly for the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged. And the attached agencies should align with its mother agency, the DSWD,” Dimaporo said.
She said the DSWD will continue implementing its regular programs while rolling out newer initiatives aimed at strengthening resilience and inclusivity.
Dimaporo cited the department’s new efforts to future-proof social protection for Indigenous Peoples through culturally sensitive tools developed in partnership with other organizations.
“Another example of future-proofing is we started to help the Indigenous People. We’ve piloted in some areas for a new type of tool — interview tool — since to them the definition of poverty is different from our definition,” Dimaporo said.
Among the initiatives the DSWD lined up for its Diamond Jubilee year are the construction of Bahay Pag-asa facilities, new platforms to highlight DSWD workers, and programs focused on children and senior citizens.
“As it marks its 75 years of service, the DSWD reaffirms its commitment to strengthening social protection systems through innovations, partnerships, and people-centered programs that respond to present and future challenges,” Gatchalian said.
