Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian leads the celebration of the International Day of Families (IDF) at the Park Inn by Radisson North Edsa in Quezon City where he unveiled the agency’s latest digitalization effort dubbed ‘Pamilya sa Bagong Pilipinas’ Registry on Thursday (May 15).

The family registry project aims to provide Filipino families with easier access to integrated social welfare services and harmonize the agency’s various initiatives across different life stages and family transitions.

This year’s IDF theme, “Family-oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025,” with its localized sub-theme, “Polisiyang Makapamilya tungo sa higit na Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Pamilyang Pilipino,” highlights the importance of creating and supporting policies that put families at the center
of development.

The DSWD chief, who chairs the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF), was joined in the IDF celebration by Undersecretary Edu Punay of the DSWD’s Innovations and Program Development Group (IPDG), IPDG Assistant Secretary Baldr Bringas, Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada of the National Authority for Child Care (NACC),and member-agencies of the NCFF. (YADP)

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“The DSWD is now ready for the expanded Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program. We have been
conducting several capacity building and training sessions for college students who will be deployed as tutors and youth development workers (YDWs) to ensure that they are ready to teach struggling or non-reader elementary students and their parents or guardians,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, said on Thursday (May 15).

According to the DSWD spokesperson, a total of 138,407 individuals composed of college students, incoming Grade 2 learners and their parents or guardians, are expected to benefit from the tutoring program.

“There are more than 12,000 tutors who will work with over 60,000 learners nationwide, and 6,019 YDWs who will facilitate Nanay-Tatay teacher sessions for more than 60,000 parents. With the increase in the number of beneficiaries, we are hoping to bring greater impact and empower more Kabataan sa Bagong Pilipinas” Asst. Secretary Dumlao explained.

For School Year 2025-2026, the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program will be rolled out in the following regions: Region 1 (Ilocos Region), Region 3 (Central Luzon), Region 5 (Bicol Region), Region 7 (Central Visayas), Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), Region 10 (Northern Mindanao), Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN), CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Caraga, the National Capital Region (NCR), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) through DSWD Field Office 10.

Since its launching in 2023, the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program has served more than 197,000 college students, elementary learners, and their parents or guardians.

Asst. Secretary Dumlao noted that the DSWD, in collaboration with education experts, has enhanced the Nanay-Tatay teacher modules for YDWs and for parents or guardians, the guidebook for tutors, and the workbook for learners.

“With these improvements and expanded coverage, we are positive that the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program will make an even greater impact in bridging literacy gaps and empowering families through education,” the DSWD spokesperson said.

The Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program is the DSWD’s reformatted educational assistance in
partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd). It is a conditional program that
gives cash-for-work (CFW) to college students, based on the prevailing regional daily minimum wage rate, in exchange for rendering 20 tutoring and learning sessions.

The tutoring program was declared as a flagship program of the national government by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, through Executive Order 76 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on November 22, 2024. (YADP)

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Regional Director Ramel Jamen of the DSWD Northern Mindanao reported to the Central Office that social workers from the Field Office will continue to render case management of the children, legal coordination, and rehabilitation support to ensure that they will recover from their traumatic experiences.

“As public servants, it is our calling to act swiftly and compassionately in the face of exploitation. At DSWD, we are anchored in the values of maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo and tapat na paglilingkod sa bayan. We do not just respond—we care deeply. These children deserve not only rescue but a life of healing, opportunity, and respect,” Director Jamen said in his report to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

The coordinated operations were led by the Philippine National Police – Women and Children Protection Center-Mindanao Field Unit (WCPC-MFU) and the Iligan City Police Office Task Force OSAEC, with critical support from the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 10, Regional Anti-Child Online Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force 10 of the Department of Justice, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) – Iligan City, and DSWD-10.

Director Jamen said the social workers from DSWD-10 and CSWDO Iligan immediately provided trauma-informed care and psychosocial support after the rescue operations. They also arranged safe shelter for the victims through the Children Assessment and Processing Center.

“These rescue operations go beyond law enforcement—it is about restoring dignity and hope to children who have been stripped of both,” Director Jamen said. (AKDL)

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The proposed guidelines were presented by Director Wayne Belizar of the DSWD Management Service (MS), who also serves as the head of the Committee on Anti-Red Tape (CART) Secretariat, during the MANCOM’s 8th regular meeting on Tuesday (May 13) at the agency’s Central Office in Quezon City.

The proposed guidelines were the Framework for Implementing the Program Service Delivery Improvement Plan (PSDIP) in DSWD: Towards Standardized and Efficient Service Delivery; DSWD Zero Backlog Policy; Guidelines on the DSWD Report Card Survey; and the Guidelines on the Implementation of Three (3) Signatories Rule under Section 9 (D) of Republic Act No. 11032.

“It is very clear that we are introducing the Program Service Delivery Improvement Plan in order to ensure that the Department’s efforts in service delivery and improvement are not only planned, kundi budgeted din ito, implemented and monitored,” Director Belizar said as he explained the significance of the PSDIP in removing bureaucratic red tape and promoting positive client experience.

Aside from improvements in the EODB implementation, Director Maria Isabel Lanada of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) also made a final presentation on the summary of recommendations to the proposed Guidelines on the Implementation of LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished).

“The target of the LAWA and BINHI from the loose formation ng mga partner beneficiaries is we would like them to organize themselves into CBOs (community-based organizations) in the year 3…and then yung collaboration for advancing food security is more on ensuring na yung ating convergence and yung mapping ng ating mga areas and partner beneficiaries is gearing towards food security,” Director Lanada pointed out in her presentation.

The proposed guidelines for the LAWA and BINHI were also ruled conditionally-approved by the MANCOM and will be subjected to consideration of MANCOM inputs and recommendations before securing the committee’s full approval and endorsement to the executive committee (EXECOM) level.

Deputy Program Manager (DPM) Marilyn Moral of the Pag-Abot Program, on the other hand, discussed the proposed amendments to Memorandum Circular No. 7, S. 2024, as amended, or the Institutionalization of Pag-abot Program for Children, Individuals, and Families in Street Situations.

The Pag-Abot DPM said that they are preparing to include provisions for independent living arrangements for the program’s clients to de-clog the DSWD’s care facilities.

“We know for a fact that our care facilities ay marami ng [kliyente]…so we thought of coming up with an independent living arrangement for those capable individuals and families. Ito yung nakikita namin na parang group home pero ang target namin ay those who are employable pa, capable pa, but no receiving family at the moment,” DPM Moral said.

DPM Moral further explained that as much as they want to reintegrate all clients to their places of origin, they are having challenges because some receiving families are also experiencing difficulties of their own.

The DSWD MANCOM, composed of assistant secretaries and directors, is a consultative body to institute closely coordinated work among bureaus and service units, which also undertakes a complete review and integration of input for proposed guidelines, position papers, policies, issuances, and other policy instruments. # (AKDL)

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“Binabati po talaga natin sila kasi malaking bagay ito na may na-aachieve tayo kasi sila yung nagsisilbing mukha ng ating mga 4Ps [beneficiaries]. Nakikita ng ating mga kababayan napupunta sa tama yung ating mga cash grants,” 4Ps Social Marketing Division (SMD) Chief (DC) Marie Grace Ponce said on Wednesday (May 14) in the DSWD’s online program, “4Ps Fastbreak”.

DC Ponce pointed out that the milestones of the beneficiaries who were able to graduate from tertiary education serve as proof that the government’s investment in human capital development is not put to waste.

“Kasi mayroon tayong binibigay na cash grant para roon sa mga nakakapasok, nakakapag-comply kaya naman nagiging proud din tayo sa mga nagtatapos. Gaya nga noong nai-report natin. Hindi lang isa o dalawang bata yung pinag-uusapan natin dito. Mayroon tayong 12 million na napagtapos sa elementary, and then, mayroon tayong mahigit 4 million sa high school,” the 4Ps division chief stressed.

According to DC Ponce, at least 76 former 4Ps monitored children became board topnotchers in their chosen fields. Three of them topped the licensure examinations this year.

The former monitored children-turned topnotchers were: Sheila Jane Doles from the University of Northern Philippines, who landed the Top 5 spot in the Licensure Examination for Midwives; Mustafa Rescober Ali from Rizal Technological University (RTU) who took the Top 2 spot in the Licensure Examination for Electrical Engineering; and Jayvee Fuentebella from Technological University of Philippines – Visayas who clinched the top spot in the Electronics Technician Licensure Examination (ECTLE).

“Gusto rin natin syempre na i-celebrate itong mga milestones na ito para magsilbing inspirasyon din doon sa mga iba pang bata na tapusin yung kanilang pag-aaral,” DC Ponce pointed out.

The 4Ps provides cash grants to more than 4 million households whose children are given subsidies to finish elementary and senior high school and supported with health and nutrition grants.

The ‘4Ps Fastbreak’ is hosted by Information Officer Venus Balito of the Strategic Communication’s Digital Media Service (DMS) and is aired every Wednesday, 11 am, using the DSWD’s Facebook platform. (AKDL)

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“The IDF is an annual celebration that gives a chance for everyone to reflect on the important role families play in our lives and society. As the lead agency in promoting social development, the DSWD will spearhead the celebration with a goal to raise awareness and discuss possible solutions to problems and needs of every family,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, the agency spokesperson, said on Tuesday (May 13).

This year’s global theme, “Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025,” underscores the importance of creating and supporting policies that put families at the center of development.

To further deliver the global theme down to the localities, the NCFF adopted the local theme “Polisiyang Makapamilya Tungo sa Higit na Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Pamilyang Pilipino,” reflecting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a “Bagong Pilipinas,” where every Filipino family can enjoy a stable, comfortable, and peaceful life.

According to the DSWD spokesperson, the IDF aims to increase awareness of the various social, economic, and demographic issues affecting families today.

One of the highlights of this year’s celebration is the launch of the Pamilya sa Bagong Pilipinas Registry, a new online and mobile application developed by the DSWD.

The registry is part of the agency’s digitalization push and supports the Marcos administration’s goal to automate up to 90 percent of government transactions to improve public service delivery.

“We want to modernize how services are delivered, streamline processes, and make government assistance more accessible. Through this online platform, users can self-register, verify their information, and access a wide range of available services,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

Users of the registry, as mentioned by the DSWD spokesperson, will be able to view the results of their registration and profiling, and see a list of programs they may qualify for—both financial and non-monetary.

A forum to champion family-centered policies will also be conducted during the annual celebration.

The IDF is observed every May 15, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, in recognition of the family as the basic unit of society and as a key driver of social development. (YADP)

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“Immediate response, in any type of disaster or emergencies, is crucial. And to think of it, this is even more needed by our Mt. Kanlaon evacuees who have been displaced for almost five months now. We have to assure them that we are looking after their needs,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said on Tuesday (May 13).

Asst. Secretary Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, said that ahead of the latest
eruption, the agency had over 267,000 boxes of family food packs (FFPs) and Php98M-worth
of other food and non-food items (FNFIs) prepositioned in DSWD FOs 6 and FO 7 – Central Visayas.

“These two FOs still provide the relief aid needed for disaster operations in Negros Island
Region. Hence, we are making sure that our resources are already there and can be tapped any time of the day in case the restiveness of Mt. Kanlaon escalates and requires bigger request for relief augmentation,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out.

The DSWD spokesperson also mentioned that the DSWD Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) has just completed a technical assistance training on the operation, management, and maintenance of the agency’s mobile kitchen, water tanker, and water treatment facilities.

The training was attended by Quick Response Teams (QRTs) from DSWD FO 6 and the Negros Island Region (NIR) and Regional Incidental Management Team (RIMT), including LGUs from La Castellana and La Carlota City—both of which are most severely impacted by the ongoing volcanic activity and currently managing evacuation centers sheltering IDPs.

“This [training] is complimentary for the deployment of our newly-procured mobile kitchen, water tanker, and water-treatment facilities, which are set to provide Mt. Kanlaon evacuees with more stabilized provision of hot meals and potable water,” the DSWD spokesperson said. (LSJ)

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Members of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Management Committee (MANCOM) convene for their 8th regular meeting to discuss pending memorandum circulars and administrative orders that will help strengthen the implementation of the agency’s programs and services.

Assistant Secretary Baldr Bringas of the agency’s Innovations and Program Development Group (IPDG), who is also the MANCOM chairperson, presided over the meeting at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City on Tuesday (May 13).

Among the policies discussed by the MANCOM were the proposed Memorandum Circular on the Implementation of LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished); four proposed guidelines to improve the implementation of Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act; and, the proposed amendments to Memorandum Circular No. 7, S. 2024, as amended or the Institutionalization of Pag-abot Program for Children, Individuals, and Families in Street Situations. (AKDL)

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The Php13.8 million housing project was funded by the OPAPRU and was officially turned over to the 50 family-beneficiaries in Barangay Batungan in the town of Tungawan in Zamboanga Sibugay last April 25.

The initiative falls under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn–Modified Shelter Assistance Program (Pamana-MSAP) which provides structurally sound, eco-friendly shelter units for former members of non-state armed groups (FMNSAGs), victims of armed conflict, and residents in conflict-vulnerable areas.

Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay of the DSWD’s Peace and Development Group (PDG) said the housing project was complemented by the Department’s cash-for-work (CFW) which was undertaken for the beneficiaries last year while the MSAP units were under-construction.

Through the agency’s Peace and Development Buong Bansa Mapayapa (PDBBM) – National Program Management Office (NPMO) and Field Office (FO) 9 – Zamboanga Peninsula, the DSWD helped the beneficiaries access temporary employment for 20 days through the CFW.

Each CFW beneficiary earned Php351 daily for their participation in local communal activities or in the construction of their own shelter. The initiative extended immediate livelihood support while encouraging active involvement in community-based project implementation.

According to Undersecretary Tanjusay, the synergy between the DSWD and OPAPRU’s efforts reflects a-whole-of-government approach, a strategy that is always emphasized by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr in his speeches.

“That house is a symbol of family, of love and unity between parents and children. It is in that house where you will start teaching the values that will guide the next generation,” Undersecretary Tanjusay said during the turn-over ceremony.

Undersecretary Tanjusay said the activity also aimed to strengthen multi-sectoral partnerships and galvanize broader support to ensure the effective implementation of peace and development efforts in the province.

Tungawan Municipal Mayor Carlnan Climaco, who attended the ceremony, conveyed his community’s gratitude, citing the project is anticipated to boost the peace and development process in their locality.

“From the bottom of our hearts, from the people of Tungawan, we express our sincerest and heartfelt gratitude for this wonderful project,” Mayor Climaco said.

Following the ceremonial turnover, the DSWD Field Office 9 – Zamboanga Peninsula officially launched the PDBBM initiative at the Imperial Hall of Sibugay Hotel in Ipil town. The event served as a platform to orient stakeholders on available programs and services for FMNSAGs and their families.

The launch was attended by various representatives from the Provincial Governments of Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte, as well as provincial directors from different regional agencies, expressing their support for the DSWD’s mission to foster inclusive growth and lasting peace. (LSJ)

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Among these is ensuring that former members of non-state armed groups (FMNSAGs) and their families are given holistic aid to enable them to improve their living conditions and sustain their role in the peace-building process, Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay of the DSWD’s Peace and Development Group (PDG) told the DSWD-Teleradyo partnership program, “Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan” on Saturday (May 10).

“Ang pinakapakay talaga ng DSWD sa mga former-rebels na mga kapatid natin ay ma-reintegrate sila sa pamilya at sa kanilang communities para sa panibagong buhay higit sa lahat mag-contribute to nation-building,” Undersecretary Tanjusay told the program anchors.

The PDG undersecretary said the DSWD’s livelihood support under its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) is part of the services provided to rebel-returnees so they can start anew, and secure viable sources of income to meet their daily needs.

“Nagbibigay tayo ng livelihood assistance. Binibigyan namin sila ng seed capital bilang asosasyon. Ngayon, pag ito ay lumago, dinadagdagan pa natin yan, para naman sa paglago, mas marami pa ang makinabang,” the DSWD official pointed out.

Aside from the seed capital, training and capacity-building initiatives are provided by the DSWD and its partners, giving the beneficiaries complete resources to manage and further steer their businesses to success.

Undersecretary Tanjusay said the DSWD is involved in the creation of sub-projects in communities affected by conflict through the agency’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services or KALAHI-CIDSS.

“Ang pangunahing mga sub-projects natin ay tulay, solar panels, hanging bridge, ito yung mga basic projects na talagang sinusulong natin na maibigay sa mga kababayan natin, lalo na sa mga nasa liblib na lugar,” Undersecretary Tanjusay said.

The DSWD also supports the Modified Shelter Assistance Project (MSAP) which provides structurally sound, eco-friendly shelter units for FMNSAGs, victims of armed conflict, and residents in conflict-vulnerable areas.

Undersecretary Tanjusay emphasized that these efforts are in line with the Philippine government’s flagship peace program called the PAyapa at MAsaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA).

The PAMANA is implemented in areas affected by conflict and communities covered by existing peace agreements.

As one of the implementing agencies of PAMANA, the DSWD is keen on addressing economic disparities that often fuel unrest and insurgency, thereby contributing to long-term peacebuilding and community resilience.

“Sinisigurado ng DSWD na kung ano yung kinakailangan sa mga communities ay merong ganyan. Sa pamamagitan ng mga programa na ito ay mananaig ang kapayapaan,” Undersecretary Tanjusay pointed out.

Undersecretary Tanjusay said that under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and the direction set by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DSWD will continue to embark on forward-thinking social welfare initiatives to advance the country’s peace and development agenda.

“As long as wine-welcome tayo ng mga grupong ito at ine-embrace nila tayo at pinapahintulutan ay tutulong tayo hanggat nandito tayo,” Undersecretary Tanjusay pointed out.

The ‘Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan’ is anchored by veteran anchor Alvin Elchico together with Information Officer Bianca Piedad-Tamondong of the DSWD’s Traditional Media Service (TMS). It airs every Saturday from 11 am to 12 noon at DWPM Radyo 630. #

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