Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian happily reported that the partnership with Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSFD) will highlight the joint goals of both Southeast Asian nations to exchange experiential learnings and information in social protection programs for the family, child development, women, and other vulnerable sectors.

The partnership, formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on March 4 as a side activity of the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), also focuses on developments related to the First 1,000 Days of a Child.

Secretary Gatchalian noted that the MOU signed with Singapore’s Minister Masagos Zulkifli provides valuable insights that could further enhance the Philippines’ approach to maternal and child care, particularly by emphasizing support for women even before pregnancy.

“If I can borrow the favorite line ng ating kaibigan na minister from Singapore, ni Minister Masagos: ‘You take care of girls, you take care of the country.’ Kapag inalagaan mo ang mga kababaihan, inalagaan mo na rin ang bansa,” Secretary Gatchalian told the reporters during the ASCC press briefing at the International Media Center (IMC) in Discovery Primea, Makati City on Friday (March 5).

The DSWD chief underscored that as a directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department started implementing the First 1,000 Days or the F1KD program as part of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

“We have a very vibrant First 1,000 Days program. Kamakailan, inilunsad sa administrasyon ng ating pangulo yung First 1,000 Days grant sa 4Ps. Dinagdagan natin ng grant—hindi lang health grant, hindi lang education grant or rice grant. For the first time last year, nagdagdag tayo ng F1KD, First 1,000 Day Grant,” the ASCC chair explained to reporters.

Learning from the initial technical exchanges prior to the formalization of the partnership, the ASCC chair shared that Singapore starts their FK1D initiative with taking care of the women and girls from the time they are ready to start a family.

“Kung tayo nga upon conception bago tayo nagbibilang, sila namumuhunan na sila o inaalagaan na nila yung kanilang mga kababaihan na maaaring magbuntis. Ang explanation sa akin ni Minister Masagos, pag nagpamilya na—kasi obviously pag nagpamilya ka na, the next progression is magkaanak—pag nagpamilya na ang isang babae, talagang inaaruga na talaga nila, tinututukan na nila,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

This perspective learned from Singapore also brought into the fore the importance of the DSWD’s Project ProtecTeen program, which focuses on helping teenage mothers cope with the challenges of early motherhood.

“Ang teenage pregnancy natin is on the rise. And ang reaction natin lagi is reactive. That’s repetitive—the reaction is reactive. Study shows na kapag ang isang dalaga ay naging—undergoes being a teenage mother—she’s already so stressed kasi hindi niya alam anong gagawin niya. Natigil na siya sa pag-aaral. Hindi niya alam saan siya kukuha ng pagkain or ipapakain sa anak niya. So you can imagine the mental anguish na pinagdaraanan niya. So that’s why ang Singapore namumuhunan na siya early on by teaching somebody na kung sakaling mangyari ito sa’yo, ito yung dapat mong gawin. So it’s the power of information,” Secretary Gatchalian told reporters.

According to Secretary Gatchalian, the MOU focuses on sharing of lessons and not on the possible provision of grants or anything monetary.

“That’s why nga excited kami dun sa MOU. Kasi marami siyang nilalaman na hindi pinag-uusapan kung kaya mo bang bayaran, kaya mo bang ibigay itong grant na ito. Hindi ganoon eh. Kaalaman yung ibinibigay nila sa atin—makabagong kaalaman, makabagong pag-iisip hinggil sa usapin ng kababaihan, women’s health, at the same time hinggil sa usapin ng pagpapamilya, taking care of the family,” Secretary Gatchalian stressed.

Celebrating the Women’s Month this March, this timely highlights the significant role of the women sector in nation building.

“Alam nyo, in this month of celebrating Women’s Month, I think the best tribute of our President to Women’s Month is that memorandum of understanding between Singapore and the Philippines,” the DSWD chief said.

Other areas of cooperation under the partnership include programs for the persons with disabilities, conduct of learning visits to facilities, and undertaking joint activities to support human capacity building and skills enhancement in the areas of social work. (KI/GDVF)