Department of Social Welfare and Development Core Programs for Filipinos

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently conducted a Bloggers Forum focused on the core programs of the agency, held at Sulo Hotel, Quezon City. The press event was attended by the DSWD Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman with two of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P's) beneficiaries, Mrs. Rosalie Balayanan (Upi Maguindanao) and Mrs. Analiza Debang (Upi Maguindanao), bloggers and members of the press.

The DSWD has always been at the forefront in serving the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the society. In the past years, the department has been implementing major projects geared towards empowering the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged. Among these are the supplemental feeding, community driven development, community driven enterprise, social pension, conditional cash transfers, community-based and center based services. The government has poured-in so much resource with the end goal of empowering these sectors.

Leaded by the DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman, the forum started by reporting the accomplishments of the department which has serving 4,090,667 households (as of June) though the 4P's, a conditional cash transfer for human development (4P's) investing on health, education of poor households, particularly with children 0-18 years old. 

More so, the increasing rate of compliance of 4Ps beneficiaries on health (pre and post natal care and 0-5 y.o. children must receive vaccines and check-ups and 6-14 y.o. deworming pills 2X/year), education (3-18 y.o. must enroll in school with 85% attendance per month) and family developmental session (teaching/sharing once a month) conditions.

On the other hand, the beneficiaries also have a chance to learn, be independent and empowered. The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services-National Community-Driven Development Program (KALAHI-CIDSS-NCDDP), a poverty alleviation project of the agency that uses the community-driven development approached. It aims to reduce poverty by empowering communities and promoting good governance.

Also the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) which provides beneficiaries an entrepreneurial and employment opportunities. Remember my story about Mang Toto of GenSan HERE. Hence, Mrs. Balayanan, a day care worker which SLP provides her a day job for her family as well as community. 

"Malaki po talaga ang pinagbago ng buhay namin mula ng natulungan kami ng gobyerno, walang wala po akmi nuon at hindi alam ang gagawin sa pamilya namin lalo na po at sunod-sunod ang kalamidad sa lugar namin, sa tilong po ng 4Ps regular ko pong napag-aaral ang mga aral ko at ngayon po ay may trabaho ako" Mrs. Balayanan shared.

Lastly, since Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) is a hot topic nowadays, DSWD clearly reported the detailed allotment of 1.97 Billion DAP that was given to the agency for the Filipinos in need.

For more information about DSWD you may visit www.dswd.gov.ph and follow them on Facebook/DepartmentOfSocialWelfareAndDevelopment and Twitter @DSWDServes.