The Department of Social Welfare and Development initiated a dialogue dubbed as “Ugnayan at Talakayan” with private corporations, foundations and non-government organizations held recently at the DSWD Central Office, Batasan Hills, Quezon City.

The representatives of the corporations and foundations who attended the dialogue were from the Globe Telecom, Team Energy Foundation, Association of Foundations, Philippine Association of Flour Millers (PAFMIL), SM Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP), and Zuellig Family Foundation.

During the dialogue, the group committed to support the projects of the DSWD towards  better public service, thereby raising the bar of its partnership with the DSWD.

In addition, the private sector representatives who have existing partnership with the DSWD gave comments and recommendations regarding the future projects which may be implemented by both parties.

Ms. Zonito Torrevillas, Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities, shared their long-time partnership with the DSWD on projects for children, particularly on the establishment of Day Care Centers nationwide.   Ms. Torrevillas recommended the review and enhancement of the existing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with their organization.
Likewise, PAFMIL Executive Director Ric Pinca disclosed, "Our partnership with the DSWD, the recent of which is the 'Tinapay ng Bayan' project has been, so far, the best model along upgrading of skills of out-of-school youth."  He also suggested continuing activities for the strategic partnership.

Ms. Felicitas Rixhon, President of the Association of Foundations, on the other hand, vouched for the favorable collaboration of the DSWD with different sectors based on her own experiences. Ms. Rixhon said that their association may be tapped on capacity building concerns.

Further, Mr. Roberto Navida, Manager of SM Foundation's mall-based Programs and Projects, recommended that the private sector must pool their resources and have a model project together with the DSWD.  The SM Foundation has been a partner of the DSWD for more than a decade on projects, namely: Share Your Extras, Gamot Para sa Kapwa, and Donate-a-Book, among others.

Meanwhile, the CeMAP may be tapped by the DSWD on livelihood projects; Zuellig Family Foundation may be linked with Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan - Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS); Globe Telecom proposed a partnership for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and KALAHI-CIDSS; and Team Energy's poverty reduction programs will be linked with the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR).

Secretary Cabral explained that with the complexity of poverty in the country, it is necessary for the DSWD to strengthen partnership with both public and private sector organizations and institutions whose mandates or corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives are aimed at addressing poverty in its many forms.

Secretary Cabral added that the resources from the private sector’s CSR initiatives may be maximized and effectively channeled to programs and projects responsive to the needs of the disadvantaged sector.

"The activity aimed to prime up and explore avenues for collaboration between the DSWD and private sector organizations focused on linking the private sector CSR initiatives with programs on community-driven development, conditional cash transfer, livelihood and other social protection initiatives for the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in the country,” Secretary Cabral concluded. ### (DSWD-Social Marketing Service) December 10, 2009