The year 2009 was another fruitful year for the Department of Social Welfare and Development as it continues to reap awards and recognitions. Behind the success of the DSWD in fulfilling its mandate and achieving its goals are its excellent leaders, headed by Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral.

Secretary Cabral led the DSWD awardees this year. She has been awarded as "Outstanding Public Servant" by the Women for Women (WOW) Foundation, Philippines. WOW Foundation is a support organization of women in business and management with counterparts in other Asian countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei.

In conferring the award on Secretary Cabral, WOW President Atty. Sylvia Lopez Alejandro said that Secretary Cabral has been cited by both local and international groups for effectively and efficiently running the DSWD with the highest standards of integrity.

Secretary Cabral was recognized for her outstanding, selfless and dedicated service to the Filipino people in the field of reproductive health, care of Filipino children, and disaster relief, highlighted by her unwavering commitment to integrity and exemplary leadership in governance which has led to the recognition of DSWD as the number one graft-free and service-oriented government institution.

Another gem in the DSWD is Undersecretary Luwalhati F. Pablo w ho was named by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) as 2009 Outstanding Professional in the field of Social Work.
The "Outstanding Professional of the Year Award" is the highest award bestowed by the Commission upon a professional as recommended by his or her peers for having amply demonstrated professional competence of the highest degree and conducted himself or herself with integrity in the exercise of his or her profession.

Likewise, the Career Executive Service Board conferred on DSWD Assistant Secretary Mateo G. Montaño the GAWAD Career Executive Service (CES) Award in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments as a government executive.

The GAWAD CES is a presidential award that recognizes members in the CES for exemplary performance and significant contributions, particularly in the areas of innovation, information and communication technology, social services, administrative reforms and public policy.

Assistant Secretary Montaño was awarded for ensuring that the resources allocated for DSWD's projects are managed and used with high level of transparency and accountability. He also spearheaded the modernization of DSWD's accounting system and strengthened the budget-planning linkage.

Tradition of excellence

The tradition of excellence extends to the DSWD's Field Offices that also pride themselves with their outstanding performers.

Ms. Rosario A. Silla, Social Welfare Officer V and center head of the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) in Region VI was recently bestowed the Pag-Asa award by the Civil Service Commission.

Ms.  Silla's dedication and perseverance in improving the RRCY, a residential care facility for children in conflict with the law (CICL), as well as making a difference in the lives of its residents led to her recognition as a  national Pag-Asa awardee.

Under her leadership, improvement of facilities and buildings were undertaken, including repair of utilities, beautification, and construction of a deep well system.   

Recently, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) selected the RRCY in Region VI as beneficiary of a 24-bed capacity dormitory costing P4.38 million, now completely constructed. UNICEF also donated another building which will serve as the new kitchen.  The existing concrete water tank was also restored with distribution lines to the new dormitory building and the kitchen, and iron grills, and provided furniture and fixtures.

"It is this commitment and dedication to service that exemplifies the DSWD workforce. Our workers are those who make the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable Filipinos better by being there to provide them with their needs in times of critical situations and to lend a helping hand," Secretary Cabral concluded. # (DSWD-Social Marketing Service) December 18, 2009