The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) received praises and manifestations of support from members of Congress during the hearing on the agency’s 2025 budget at the House of Representatives on Wednesday (August 21).

Vice Chairperson of the House Appropriations Committee Teodorico Haresco Jr. commended the DSWD chief and said it is the “golden years” of the agency under the leadership Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

“Ngayon ko lang po narinig na nagpapalakpakan at madami ang congratulations. That shows the articulateness and intellectual vigor of Secretary Rex but with a heart. Hindi pa namin natatapos ang pagtanong, nakukuha mo agad in the first few words ang tinatanong namin… Ito na po siguro ang golden years ng DSWD kasi napakabilis at dahil nandyan ka,” Vice Chair Haresco pointed out.

House Appropriations Committee Vice Chairperson and Negros Oriental 1st District Representative Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong supported the appreciation from Cong Haresco saying it is the first budget hearing with the most commendations she experienced.

“Totoo yan, ngayon lang ako naka-experience na agency that has the most applause and also congratulatory notes,” Rep. Limkaichong said.

Vice Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations Rachel Marguerite Del Mar also pointed out that the hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget of the DSWD received more manifestations than questions.

“Among all the secretaries that have been around so far, this is the first time I hear more manifestations than questions and that is a good sign,” Vice Chair Del Mar said.

Nueva Ecija 2nd District Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago, who was among the representatives who did not ask questions, manifested his support to the approval and increase of the DSWD’s 2025 budget.

“This representation is very supportive sa budget ng DSWD at kung tayo po ay may pagkakataon na i-increase ang budget nila para mas maraming matulungan ang ating department, very supportive rin po ang inyong lingkod,” Rep. Violago said.

Agusan del Norte 1st District Rep. Jose “Joboy” Aquino II also conveyed his congratulations to the DSWD saying: “Kanina pa akong nakikinig doon sa itaas, pagdating ko ganon pa rin ang salita ng secretary nyo and isa lang talaga ang na-notice ko—ang secretary nyo hindi nagsasabi ng ‘I will let the undersecretary answer, I will let the assistant secretary answer’—it is the secretary himself who answers the questions. For that Secretary Rex, congratulations and I will always support gaya ng binibigay mo na support sa akin, Secretary.”

Barangay Health Worker (BHW) Partylist Representative Angelica Natasha Co also manifested her support to the DSWD, stating the agency responds immediately whenever the partylist requests for assistance.

“I would just like to manifest my support kasi po many times na humingi ng tulong ang BHW Partylist, lagi pong sumasagot agad ang DSWD. So I won’t actually ask any questions. I would just like to congratulate the DSWD for a job well done kasi po talagang aksyon agad,” BHW Partylist Rep. Co said.

The DSWD, including its attached and supervised agencies, is proposing Php229.7 billion budget for 2025. #