The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) affirmed that the statements made by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 25, are in line with the current direction of the Department along social protection and development.

As Secretary Erwin T. Tulfo introduced the DSWD’s new brand ‘Bawat Buhay Mahalaga,’ the country’s roadmap under the Marcos Administration which  is parallel to the goals of the Department to alleviate poverty incidence amid the global crisis and health emergencies. In his speech, President Marcos laid out his agenda which included his intent to decrease the poverty rate of the country to a single-digit percentage by the year 2028.

The DSWD said that it is one with the whole bureaucracy in formulating and implementing policies and programs along social welfare to ensure that the well-being of every Filipino is promoted and protected, hence, contributing to the realization of the administration’s agenda on social development.

Likewise, the DSWD expressed that it had already taken initial steps to achieve the directives of the President, particularly on ensuring that families and individuals affected by disasters and crises are provided with appropriate and immediate assistance.

It can be recalled that Secretary Tulfo earlier instructed the different Field Offices to begin prepositioning food and non-food items in the warehouses of the local government units, most especially the disaster vulnerable localities, in pursuit of the envisioned proactive disaster response of the government.

The Department also stressed that it will adhere to the President’s directive to enhance the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) by facilitating the graduation of the beneficiaries who have improved their standard of living and are no longer considered poor. With the near completion of the Listahanan 3, the DSWD will be able to review and validate its list of beneficiaries.

The DSWD vowed to contribute to the roadmap presented by the current administration so that all Filipinos will have better and equitable access to opportunities given by the government. ###