Executives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) discuss the agency’s digital initiatives at the National Press Club’s (NPC) Meet the Press on Tuesday (April 8) in Intramuros, City of Manila.

Assistant Secretary Marie Paz Rafael of the DSWD’s Partnership Building and Resource Mobilization Office (PBRMO) tackled the Kaagapay Donations Portal which gives donors a simple and easy way to extend their donations for disaster response like the ongoing Mt. Kanlaon disaster operations.

Director Megan Therese Manahan of the DSWD’s Standard Bureau (SB) explained the Harmonized Electronic License and Permit System (HELPS), which is the agency’s digital platform for the processing of the Certificate for Registration, License to Operate, and Accreditation (CRLA) of social welfare and development agencies (SWDAs), as well as public solicitation permit and duty-exempt importation.

Both DSWD executives said these digital initiatives, under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, help bring the Department’s programs closer to the people in a more efficient way. (GDVF)