Those familiar with the regulatory function of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) may be surprised to learn that the agency also accredits pre-marriage counselors (PM) who provide counseling services to engaged couples ages 18 to 25 years old. According to Division Chief (DC) Anna Maria Alexa Ledesma of the DSWD’s Standards Bureau (SB), pre-marriage counseling service is a professional way of guiding or assisting engaged couple as they decide to formalize their union through marriage. “Ito po yung ino-offer sa mga magpapakasal na 18 to 25 years old, required po ito per the Family Code of the […]

Cash grants being given under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) range from Php1,000 to Php10,000 depending on the assessment made by social workers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Director Edwin Morata, assistant director of the DSWD’s Protective Services Bureau (PSB) and Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of the Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) explained on Saturday (May 3) that the agency’s social workers are the ones making the assessment of individuals who would want to avail of cash assistance either under AICS or AKAP. “We just want […]

The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) has produced another board topnotcher in the licensure test for electrical engineering graduates. Mustafa Rescober Ali from Santa Cruz, Marinduque is a former monitored child of the 4Ps who landed the Top 2nd spot in the April 2025 Licensure Examination for Electrical Engineering. Mustafa graduated cum laude from the Rizal Technological University (RTU) with a course of BS Electrical Engineering. “The DSWD extends its felicitations to Engr. Mustafa, who is the latest addition to the growing list of former 4Ps monitored children board topnotchers. We are proud […]

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will continue to monitor the situation of the Mt. Bulusan evacuees who have returned to their homes to ensure they can start to lead normal lives after the eruption, an agency official said on Saturday (May 3). Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said the five evacuation centers have been shut down based on the agency’s May 3, 6:00 a.m. report. “The DSWD’s Field Office (FO) personnel in Bicol Region were among the camp coordinators who helped with the decampment of evacuees. Our agency’s response, however, […]

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to use the negotiated procurement-community participation (NP-CP) method in its Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) as this will help link community-based organizations (CBOs) to prospective markets. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, through 2024 Memorandum Circular No. 47, has urged the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger (IATF-ZH), in coordination with relevant government agencies, to adopt the community participation procurement method to encourage CBOs to engage in the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Program. “We express our full support in utilizing the NP-CP as the procurement method for the SFP and […]

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday (May 2) reminded all the agency’s regional directors to strictly enforce the 10-day ban on the distribution of cash grants under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP). The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has prohibited the distribution of any forms of financial assistance, popularly known as “ayuda,” 10 days before the May 12 national and local elections or from May 2 to 12. Only medical and burial assistance under AICS are allowed by the Comelec during the […]

The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Field Office (FO) National Capital Region (NCR) expressed condolences and provided cash aid to the grieving family of Engin, a delivery rider who died during a payout in Marikina City last April 28. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of the client who only wanted to provide for his family’s needs. The untimely passing of a loved one is truly a distressing experience for anyone, and the Department will see to it that the family of the client will receive all the necessary interventions in their time of need,” DSWD Assistant […]

Beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Walang Gutom Program (WGP) showcased their creativity and resourcefulness during a regional cooking challenge, dubbed ‘Kusinero Cook-Off Challenge,’ held at the Socorro’s The Venue in Camalig, Albay on Wednesday (April 30). In a message of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, delivered by Undersecretary Edu Punay of the agency’s Innovations and Program Development Group (IPDG), the DSWD chief said the Kusinero Cook-Off Challenge is an initiative to highlight the importance of preparing nutritious and budget-friendly meals using food items available through the WGP redemption activities. “Ngayon ay nandito tayo sa Bicol Region […]

“Sa family development session (FDS), pinapalalim natin yung pag-unawa [ng mga benepisyaryo] sa mga programa at serbisyo na binibigay ng pamahalaan.” This was emphasized by Division Chief (DC) Marie Grace Ponce of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program’s (4Ps) Social Marketing Division (SMD) as she explained how the FDS serves as a behavioral change component of the 4Ps during an episode of the DSWD’s online program, ‘4Ps Fastbreak,’ on Wednesday (April 30). DC Ponce cited topics in FDS sessions that promote positive values among the conditional cash transfer program beneficiaries such as parenting effectiveness session, active citizenship, and needs-based topics such […]