A senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the public that the agency is now imposing stricter guidelines on the release of travel permits to children through the newly-launched Minors Traveling Abroad (MTA) system to prevent child trafficking and other crimes against children. “Doon po sa ating manual transaction before, pwedeng-pwedeng mag-transact kahit sino basta may special power of attorney (SPA). This time, mas strict po kami sa paggawa ng account [sa system]. We only allow three persons to create an account—parents, legal guardians, and travel companions,” Assistant Secretary Ada Colico of the DSWD’s Protective […]

“These rites are a validation of your remarkable work which were contributory to the continued trust given to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) by the public we serve. The citations that you received today, as awardees and nominees, are something to be proud of. But above this, let the lives you have served well, be the testament of your good work.” This was the main message of Secretary Rex Gatchalian as he congratulated the awardees and nominees of the National Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) on Friday (March 14) at the Landbank’s Diosdado […]

The Department of Social Welfare and Development continues to support the advancement of the peace and development agenda of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental with the turnover of five completed sub-projects under the agency’s PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Peace and Development Program in the Municipality of Hinoba-an. These projects address critical community needs by providing essential infrastructure and services that foster sustainable development and stability, according to Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay of the DSWD’s Peace and Development Group (PDG). During the official turnover ceremony at the People’s Pagbana-ag Activity Center in Hinoba-an on March 11, beneficiaries shared testimonies on […]

The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) community-driven resilience and sustainable development project, the Panahon ng Pagkilos: Philippine Community Resilience Project (PCRP), secured a crucial approval from the National Economic and Development Authority – Investment Coordination Committee Cabinet Committee (NEDA ICC-CabCom) on Thursday (March 13). Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the determining decision followed a rigorous review process by the NEDA-ICC Technical Board (TB), which deemed the project economically viable, justifiable, and yieldinghigh benefit results – a testament to its strategic investment in community resilience. “The ICC-CabCom’s approval signifies a strong endorsement of the Panahon ng Pagkilos: PCRP as a […]

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian is set to recognize and honor the agency’s personnel also known as ‘Angels in Red Vests’, who have shown exemplary performance in 2024 through the National Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) ceremonies to be held on Friday (March 14) at the Landbank’s Diosdado Macapagal Hall in Malate, Manila. Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, the agency spokesperson, said the annual celebration aims to recognize and celebrate the exceptional contributions of DSWD personnel who implement programs and services that uplift the lives of Filipinos, especially those in vulnerable communities. […]

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has renewed the agency’s partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Philippines aimed at making disaster response more humanitarian in its focus. The DSWD and the IOM on Friday (March 14) forged an updated collaboration that focuses on strengthening and enhancing capacity building initiatives, undertake knowledge building and transfer of technology on camp coordination and camp management (CCCM), protection of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and accelerate efforts toward the digital service transformation in disaster management. “This partnership signals more learning for us and more learning for local government units […]

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is expanding its Pag-abot Program to Region 3 (Central Luzon) and CALABARZON to reach out more children, individuals, and families in street situations. Undersecretary Edu Punay of the DSWD’s Innovations and Program DevelopmentGroup (IPDG) said on Friday (March 14) the expansion, as directed by SecretaryRex Gatchalian, reflects the agency’s full commitment in serving the most vulnerable sectors by addressing the circumstances of people in street situations. “With the institutionalization of the Pag-Abot Program under Executive Order No. 52, the program is now scaling up to provide wider and more sustainable support at […]

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Office honored its dedicated officials and staff for their 10 to 40 years of loyal service, along with outstanding employees, during the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) and Loyalty Awards held on Thursday (March 13) at the Landbank’s Diosdado Macapagal Hall in Malate, Manila. In the message of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, which was delivered by Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera, the PRAISE Central Office Committee Chairperson, the agency chief thanked the awardees for their notable contributions to the Department. \”In over seven decades of service, the DSWD is often […]