“We must not only provide interventions but we should try to prevent problems from pouring in thru collaboration.”
This was the core message of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary for Institutional Development Group (IDG) Mae Fe A. Templa during the Social Welfare and Development Forum on the seven (7) priority bills for Social Welfare and Development held in Tuguegarao City on May 19, 2017.
Usec. Templa flew to Cagayan Valley and met with Local Social Welfare and Development Officers (LSWDOs) in the region, representatives from various Social Welfare and Development Learning Network (SWD-LNET), Area-based Standard Network (ABSNET) and the Academe, who participated in the said Forum as well as visited DSWD’s Centers.
“This forum provides a venue to study the contents of the said priority bills and as our partners in the implementation of social protection programs and services at the grassroots level, we count on you to help us lobby with your respective legislative representatives for the passage of the said priority bills,” Usec. Templa added.
These seven (7) priority bills are Social Welfare Development Agencies (SWDAs) Bill, Public Solicitation Bill, Amendment to the Solo Parent Act of 2000, Anti Elderly Abuse Bill, Creation of Council for Older persons, Positive and non-violent discipline of Children Bill, and Magna Carta for Day Care Workers.
The participants assured the Undersecretary of their support to the said priority bills. They likewise expressed their opinions and clarifications on some provisions of the said bills.
Resource persons during the forum were Director Marites M. Maristela, Standards Bureau and Ms. Charito Esteban, both from Standard Bureau-Central Office; Ms. Catherine D. Espedido and Ms. Miramel Garcia-Laxa, both from Protective Services Bureau-Central Office and Ms. Pasensia T. Ancheta, Field Office 02’s Acting Policy and Plans Division Chief.
Meanwhile, Director Ponciana P. Condoy expressed her gratitude to the speakers as well as to the participants and said that the priority bills are for the disadvantaged sectors, thus, all must share the vision of providing Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo.
Promoting rights, protecting lives
The improvement of the social protection programs of DSWD is one of the thrusts and priorities of the Department in line with the 10-point socio-economic agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte. One of these social protection programs are the services and interventions provided to residents of DSWD’s Centers and Institutions.
Thus, Usec. Templa ensured that she visited the Centers in the region.
In particular, she encouraged the Cagayan Valley-Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth’s (CV-RRCY) staff to maximize the Centers’ facilities in advancing agricultural technology as a model for diversion for the Children-in-Conflict with the Law (CICL) and to advocate for sustainable agriculture.
The CV-RRCY residents are involved in vegetable gardening and rice farming activities in the Center’s agricultural area which spans to 3.8 hectares. Likewise, they have been recently introduced to tilapia raising (polyculture) in the said area and they are expecting for a bountiful harvest this October.
The residents receive twelve percent (12%) from the sale of their vegetable and rice farming activities. Thus, they are able to save money and use it upon their release from the Center.
She likewise graced the 20th Anniversary celebration of Haven for Women and Girls.
Recognizing the contributions of donors and volunteers present during the anniversary celebration, Usec. Templa said,”We appreciate your valuable partnership with DSWD in advancing the interest and rights of women and girls.”
Furthermore, she bared DSWD’s plan for coming up with a formal system for the recruitment of volunteers through training so the Department can beat up its operations not only during disasters but in all crisis situations.
Capping off her visit, she met with the Field Office’s staff and assured them that earnest efforts are being made to advance the interest of MOA workers, that is, their regularization, particularly those who have rendered service for a long time. ### By: GELA FLOR R. PEREZ, Regional Information Officer II