The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues its tradition of dedicated and untiring public service under the able leadership of Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista.
DSWD is unfazed and will remain steadfast in pursuing its goal of responding to the needs of the poor, disadvantaged, marginalized, and vulnerable sectors in Filipino society, which is the sole focus and priority of its 24,500-strong personnel despite naysayers.
Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo
As he took the helm of the DSWD in October 2018, Secretary Bautista immediately joined massive disaster response operations for Typhoon Rosita and the landslides in Naga, Cebu and Nantonin, Mountain Province.
The Secretary was among the first to be in the disaster sites to oversee the provision of the Department’s response services to aid the Local Government Units (LGUs) in said areas with barely two weeks in civil service.
He also ensured that social welfare and development programs and services were efficiently delivered and managed during the Boracay Island Rehabilitation, as well as in Marawi crisis disaster response and recovery.
Serbisyong Walang Puwang sa Katiwalian
Aside from disaster operations, Secretary Bautista responded to the colossal task of implementing social protection programs for the sectors which the Agency serves.
The Secretary has initiated changes and system upgrades to ensure the smooth implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) which serves more than 4.1 million beneficiaries, especially as it is now on its 10th year.
Secretary Bautista impressed upon the entire workforce the transparency and integrity in carrying out all its programs and services. Other big ticket programs which continue to be managed under the leadership of Secretary Bautista includes the Social Pension Program (SPP), Community-Driven Development (CDD) program, Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, to name a few.
Patas na Pagtrato sa Komunidad
Immediately imbibing the culture of service to the Filipino poor, the Secretary also personally instructed the installation of structures in the Department to ensure that the waiting area for clients to shelter them from rains and extreme heat.
Two (2) milestone legislations supported by DSWD were enacted under the leadership of the Secretary. These recently enacted laws are Republic Act 11292 or the Magna Carta of the Poor; and Republic Act 11310 or the 4Ps Act.
Although new in the field of social work, Secretary Bautista appreciated and prioritized the Department’s advocacy for clear guidelines in the provisions of benefits for the social workers as mandated by the Magna Carta for Public Social Workers. Under his silent but competent leadership, the DSWD and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) signed Joint Circular No. 1 in December 2018 which provides for the Rules and Regulations on the Grant of Compensation-Related Magna Carta Benefits for Public Social Workers.
He also cares for the welfare of the welfare-givers. One of the DSWD Chief’s major priorities is the regularization of Memorandum-of-Agreement (MOA) workers which comprise the majority of the Department’s workforce.
Moving Forward
Rest assured that the DSWD will continue working hard to improve its systems and deliver its commitment in serving the people under the guidance of Secretary Bautista. -30-
