Sitio Mata of Barangay Marozo in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur is considered a conflict vulnerable area (CVA). With the CVA term, one would think there is chaos. But in the heart of the sitio lies a thriving egg layering business by the Mata Makitkita, a 20 member-association established through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Flora Ausa, President of the Mata Makitkita SLP Association (SLPA), said they learned from their Barangay Captain Marivic Tolentino that the government has a livelihood program, and twenty of them signified their interest. Flora added that her family […]

The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) new online system dubbed ‘Harmonized Electronic License and Permit System’ or HELPS has received 218 requests for verification and creation of HELPS account since its official launch last February 18. Director Megan Therese Manahan of the Standards Bureau (SB) announced this during the DSWD’s Thursday Media Forum on February 27, citing that the agency is ready to process more requests as part of the agency’s efforts to ease access to its regulatory services. “Maganda po siyang statistic kasi nag-launch lang po tayo ng February 18… it has been just more than a […]

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the public that the agency’s newly-launched Kaagapay Donations Portal will help prevent public solicitation scams. “Dito sa Kaagapay portal, you can guarantee it’s fully vetted by a regulatory body, which is the DSWD Standards Bureau, in coordination with Kaagapay, which is the partnerships group. So fully vetted [ito], clean, monitored, and regulated. Iwas scam kasi gusto natin may one stop shop na lang for donations in the sense na trusted na yung portal na pupuntahan ng taong bayan,” Director Megan Therese Manahan of the Standards Bureau (SB) said during the DSWD […]

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through its Peace and Development Group (PDG) is continuously charting the much-needed changes and improvements to boost its peace and development efforts. Among these is the expansion of agency work force engaged in handling Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) decommissioned combatants (DCs) across conflict-affected areas, particularly in Regions 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 10 (Northern Mindanao), and 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN). Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay of the DSWD-PDG explained that since the Department was mandated to lead in the provision of social services to decommissioned combatants under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the DSWD FO-12 […]

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian flew to Camarines Sur on Wednesday (February 26) to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of a new manufacturing hub at the Capitol Complex, Cadlan, in Pili town. In his message of support, the DSWD chief commended the partnership of the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur with Veragon Technologies in setting up a new assembly plant that will ensure sustainable water access not only for agriculture and manufacturing activities, but also during disasters. The Veragon Technologies is a company that develops sustainable water solutions throughout Southeast Asia. “We can use Veragon Technologies […]

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured the public on Wednesday (February 26) that the implementation of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) will have tightened safety nets and will remain transparent based on the proposed AKAP guidelines. “Pinagtulungan namin ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), ng National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) para lalo pang maging mas mahigpit ‘yung guidelines at siguraduhin na may safety nets para hindi ma-aabuso, hindi magamit,” Secretary Gatchalian said over TeleRadyo Serbisyo, where he was asked for updates on the implementation of the AKAP for this year. In […]

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has acknowledged anew the role that social workers play in ensuring that the agency’svarious forms of cash assistance go to the rightful beneficiaries. “Ako meron ako isang character na paulit-ulit kong ginagamit—social worker. Kung makikita niyo ‘yung proseso namin, lahat—whether doon sa Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), whether pagdating ng crisis yung emergency cash transfer, pagbigay ng relief goods, lahat yan kinakausap ng social worker,” Secretary Gatchalian said during an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo on Wednesday (February 26). Secretary Gatchalian underscored the fact that […]

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has assured the public that the new online portal, which streamlines the application for travel clearance of minors travelling abroad, is equipped with enhanced measures to safeguard children from potential risks of trafficking. Secretary Gatchalian said in an interview over TeleRadyo Serbisyo on Wednesday (February 26) that the objective of the online portal for ‘Minors Travelling Abroad’ or MTA is to make things easier for parents and their children who can do the application in the comforts of their homes or offices. The DSWD chief also explained to TeleRadyo Serbisyo […]

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is gearing up to launch a new initiative on Friday, February 28, aimed at promoting nutrition and healthy eating habits among beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom Program (WGP), formerly the Food Stamp Program.Dubbed as “Walang Gutom Kusinero: Cook-Off Challenge”, the cooking competition will be launched at the Dapa Gymnasium in Dapa, Surigao del Norte.Undersecretary for Innovations Edu Punay said the Walang Gutom Kusinero: Cook-Off Challenge is designed to highlight WGP as a leading program in the fight against hunger and malnutrition and as part of the advocacy for the social behavioral change […]