Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday (July 21) lauded Filipino social workers for their resilience, compassion, and unwavering commitment to uphold the dignity of the poor, vulnerable and marginalized sectors.
“The Filipino social worker is distinguished not only by their technical expertise, but also by their resilience, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to uphold human dignity This unique blend of competence and empathy defines their work in every context — from the most remote barangays where services are scarce, to disaster-hit communities where immediate response and long-term support are equally needed, and in zones of conflict and peacebuilding where social fabrics have been torn,” Secretary Gatchalian said in his keynote message for the ASEAN gathering in Clark, Pampanga.
Secretary Gatchalian, who serves as the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting for Social Welfare and Development (AMMSWD) Leader of the Philippines, also shared the efforts of the DSWD in improving the systems and capacities of social workers and the wider social service workforce in the Philippines.
Among the initiatives that the DSWD chief emphasized were the strengthening of case management systems to be more responsive, client-centered and data-driven; the fine tuning of case management approach for former members of non-state armed groups and decommissioned combatants; and the renovation and forthcoming relaunch of the DSWD Academy.
In his keynote message, Secretary Gatchalian also urged his fellow ASEAN leaders to bring in more investments to the social service workforce, which he described as “a strategic pillar for building the equitable, inclusive, and disaster-resilient ASEAN community we all envision.”
Bannering the theme: “Re-shaping Social Protection Towards a More Inclusive, Sustainable, and Resilient Future: A Regional Dialogue”, the ASEAN regional dialogue was attended by Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD) focal points from ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste.
The July 21-23 regional dialogue aims to provide a platform for meaningful exchange and collaboration among social workers, the social service workforce, and key stakeholders in strengthening accessible, inclusive, and sustainable social protection systems across the region.
This will be immediately followed by the Workshops on the Development of the SOMSWD Work Plan 2026-2030 and ASWC Work Plan 2026-2030 on July 24 to 25.
The workshop aims to review the implementation of the 2021-2025 plan and identify gaps, and reflect on strategic priorities and opportunities for cooperation in the next five years on social welfare and development guided by the ASEAN’s development agenda under the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future and its Strategic Plans. (AKDL)