The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) celebrates its 61st year of public service with the theme, “DSWD @ 61: Tuloy-Tuloy sa Kaunlaran”, with a line-up of month-long activities from January 3 to 27, 2012.

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that as DSWD enters its 61st year, it has remained consistent with  its mission in the development, implementation and coordination of social protection and poverty reduction programs, projects and services which aim to help and empower the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors of society.

“On the other hand, we continue to pursue DSWD’s vision to assume a lead role in social protection while collaborating with, and working together side by side with other concerned agencies to provide social safety nets for the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors, such as abused and abandoned children, older persons, persons with disabilities, children in conflict with the law, and solo parents,” Secretary Soliman explained.

Highlights of the month-long celebration include the awarding of different citations and recognitions, namely PANATA (Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan) Awards which recognizes the contribution of DSWD partners and stakeholders, the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) for outstanding DSWD employees, and Loyalty Awards which recognizes officials and employees who have rendered 10 to 40 years of dedicated service.

The PaNata Awards are categorized into Gawad Paglilingkod sa Sambayanan (GAPAS) which gives recognition to non-government organizations (NGOs), local government units (LGUs), and the Gawad Ulat for media persons, all of whom have selflessly dedicated their time, energy and resources in helping the Department to carry out its mandate of improving the lives of the disadvantaged sectors of society. The awards rites will be on January 26, 2012 at the DSWD Central Office, Batasan Hills, Quezon City.

This year’s PaNata awardees are: SOS Children’s Village in Calbayog, Samar for Best NGO; and Angat Kabuhayan SEA-Kabayan, Inc. in Calbiga, Samar, Region VIII for Model Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) Association.

On the other hand, the Gawad Ulat awardees are: Ms. Leila Salaverria and Mr. TJ Burgonio of Philippine Daily Inquirer for Most DSWD-Friendly Beat Reporters; Manila Times for Most Supportive Newspaper; Radyo Singko 92.3 News FM for Most Supportive Radio Station; and GMA 7 for Most Supportive Television Station.

Sixteen (16) partner civil society organizations will also be given special recognition during the PaNATA awards namely: : Damayan ng Maralitang Pilipinong  Api (DAMPA); I Am  Redeemer and Master Evangelical Church; International Holistic Engagement for Life and Progress, Inc. (iHELP); Kabisig ng KALAHI; Marriage Encounter Foundation of the Philippines; People Power Volunteer for Reform  (PPVR)-Valenzuela; People Power Volunteers for Reform (PPVR)-Marikina; Philippine Partnership Support Service Agencies (PHILSSA); Pinoy Micro Enterprise (PinoyME); PINOY/PINAY/PPVR-Manila; Samahang Maralita para sa Makatao at Makatarungang  Paninirahan (Sama-Sama); Unang Hakbang Foundation, Inc.; Urban Poor Alliance, Amparo 179, Inc.; YES Pinoy Foundation; Zuellig Family Foundation; and former Mayor of Mulanay, Quezon Province, Mr. Prudencio Maxino for being a staunch supporter of KALAHI-CIDSS, one of the flagship programs of DSWD.

The DSWD through the Program on Awards and Incentives or Service Excellence (PRAISE) will recognize and reward employees who have made an extraordinary contribution to the fulfilment of the Department’s mission.  The PRAISE awardees are: Director Arnel B. Garcia of Region II for Best Manager; Assistant Regional Director Prescila N. Razon of Region XI for Best Assistant Manager; Ms. Fatima S. Caminan of Region IX for Best Division Chief, Technical Category; Ms. Maribel M. Blanco of Region III for Best Division Chief, Support Category; Mr. Fidel L. Empeynado of Region IX for Best Social Worker, Center-Based; Mr. Arwin O. Razo of Region V for Best Technical Staff, Professional; Mr. Jorge B. Dolatre of NCR for Best Technical, Staff Sub-Professional;  Ms. Ma. Eva E. Avila of Region IX for Best Support Staff, Professional; and Ms. Juanita G. Infante of Region III for Best Support Staff, Sub-Professional.

Our warmest congratulations! ### (DSWD-Social Marketing Service) 24 January 2012