The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its DSWD Academy and in partnership with the Ateneo Bulatao Center of Ateneo De Manila University, gathered frontline responders and key partner agencies in Zamboanga City for a five-day workshop on Trauma-Informed Support and Psychological First Aid (PFA) for children and adolescents from August 24 to 28 at the Grand Astoria Hotel in Zamboanga City.

The capability-building activity equips personnel who augment psychological first aid with essential skills in crisis intervention, child protection, referral mechanisms, and responder self-care following recent crisis situations.

“Frontline workers serve as the primary source of safety and guidance during crises, making baseline training in psychological first aid essential to preventing long-term emotional distress among vulnerable sectors,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, said on Wednesday (August 26)

The initiative follows the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen frontline care systems and ensure prompt psychosocial support for communities affected by emergencies.

“Kasi hindi po natin maiiwasan na may mga pangyayari na may mga Pilipino minsan nato-trauma dulot ng kung ano man ang dahilan. For example, nabahaan, nasunugan, o kaya naman ay nawalan ng mahal sa buhay. Madaming dahilan kaya it’s important that frontliners do skills training and capacity-building activities,” the DSWD spokesperson pointed out.

Among the participants are 49 representatives from the DSWD Field Office (FO) 9 – Zamboanga Peninsula, Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU), Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine National Police (PNP), City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), City and Regional Prosecutor’s Office, and Department of Health (DOH).

As part of the ongoing capacity-building, participants are provided modules designed to establish supportive and child-sensitive environments where affected learners, teachers, families, and school personnel can gradually regain stability and trust.

The Department remains committed to conducting localized training programs through the DSWD Academy to build a stronger network of competent, ethical, and compassionate responders equipped to provide immediate psychosocial and protective support to children, adolescents, families, and communities during crises and emergencies.

“Sa pamamagitan po nito, we can build a competent network of workers that ensures children and families receive immediate protection whenever unexpected emergencies arise,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said. (KI)