Tomorrow afternoon, February 21, 2016, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will give recognition to its various partners and stakeholders through the “Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan (PaNata Ko sa Bayan) Awards.” The PaNaTa awards serves as one of the highlights of the Department’s annual anniversary celebration. This year is the department’s 66th anniversary.

DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo said that the awards are the department’s way to thank the various groups and individuals who help the DSWD implement its mandate to serve the Filipino people not only during calamities and emergencies, but also during the course of their daily lives as they seek to improve the lives of their children and their families.

“As the government’s lead welfare agency, the DSWD faces the massive challenge of responding to the needs of thousands of Filipinos who do not have the immediate means to address sudden emergencies: many require emergency financial assistance for medical and hospital needs; others require added funds for the educational needs of their children. Then there are others who need to augment funds for funeral and burial arrangements of loved ones. These are among the most basic services that the DSWD provides, but there are many, many more that we give the Filipino people. We run centers for abused women, for abandoned children and neglected senior citizens. We give counselling and psycho-social interventions to people experiencing or recovering from trauma. We teach communities about reproductive health, nutrition, empowerment, and means of livelihood. During calamities, we try to respond as fast as we can to assist as many Filipinos as possible. The work of the DSWD is tremendous,” she said.

Sec. Taguiwalo said that given the huge expectations of the department, “The DSWD needs all the help that it can get so that it can perform all its tasks. We will never be able to accomplish all that we need to do for our beneficiaries without the help and support of our various partners. We hold the annual PaNata awards to thank them and to give tribute to their own efforts to help Filipinos and improve their lives.”

Various awards will be given tomorrow afternoon:

Salamat Po Award – a commendation of development partners and volunteers who helped the DSWD deliver its social protection services. The award is also in recognition of achieved goals and the established best practices of various NGO partners.

Gawad sa Makabagong Teknolohiyang Panlipunan – an award given to either a Local Government Unit (LGU), or an NGO which has introduced a new and effective social technology, the use of which has led to the creation of a best practice.

GAPAS Awards – a commendation given to (i) Local Government Unit (LGU) implementing DSWD programs and services such as Day Care Services, Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) and Sustainable Livelihood Program enterprise and employment facilitation models and to LGUs effectively implementing a convergence initiative, and the Best People’s Organization  that has significant contribution in their respective communities.

Gawad Listahanan – an award given to LGUs that provide services and assistance to the Listahanan-identified poor families.

Gawad Serbisyo- a recognition to partners in government service who provide significant assistance and unwavering commitment during emergencies. ###