The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will celebrate its 69th Founding Anniversary this January 2020 with the theme, “Social Integration: DSWD’s Major Thrust in line with the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.” 

One of the highlights of the celebration will be the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) Awards.  The PRAISE Award is given annually to exemplary performers in DSWD. It is designed to encourage creativity, innovativeness, efficiency, integrity, and productivity in the public service by recognizing and rewarding officials and employees for their contributions in the improvement of government operations.

During the celebration, the Department will also confer Loyalty Awards to employees and officials who have rendered 10 years or more of faithful government service.

Likewise, stakeholders and partners who have supported and contributed to the implementation of DSWD’s programs, projects, and services will be recognized through the PaNata Ko (Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon) sa Bayan Awards to be held on the fourth week of January.

The anniversary will be celebrated with a month-long festivity with different activities each week. The first week of January will be the kick-off phase which shall start with the DSWD Anniversary Walk and exhibit showcasing the Department’s accomplishments. The Anniversary Walk will be simultaneously done in all DSWD Field Offices nationwide.

This will be followed by the Wellness Week with personnel-centered activities with the objective to promote the overall health and wellness of employees in recognition of their valuable contribution to the accomplishments and success of the Department. During the week, there will be health and wellness activities, sports festival, bazaar and trade fair, fun games, and talent competition.

The third week of January will be the Community Advocacy Week which aims to instill to DSWD personnel the value of community interaction. Highlights of this week will be activities  that make a direct and positive contribution to the society making ripples of change such as a tree planting.

Major activities will be lined-up in the fourth week of January, which shall form part of the Culminating Week, such as the PRAISE and Loyalty Awards, the PaNata Ko sa Bayan Awards, and inauguration of new DSWD facilities.

As DSWD marks another milestone, it will continue to work collectively with other agencies so that every single program of the Department is geared towards empowering beneficiaries to achieve their full potential.  -30-