Basco, Batanes—Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 headed by Regional Director Violeta A. Cruz initiated the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Local Chief Executives of Batanes Province to replicate the social technology projects developed by the department.

The six Local Chief Executives of the said province were able to signify their intent to replicate said social technology projects in their respective municipalities last March 13-15, 2013 which was also supported by the Governor of Batanes, Gov. Vicente S. Gato.

The MOA signing ceremony was conducted in each municipality of the 6 municipalities in Batanes. It was witnessed by Vice-Mayors, Department Heads, PSWDO staff, and MSWDO staff.

In her message, DSWD Field Office 02 Regional Director Violeta A. Cruz acknowledged the efforts of the LGU in including fund support in their budget and reminding them to include in their yearly budget for the operation and sustainability of the projects.

Also present during the MOA signing ceremony was the Director of Social Technology Bureau in DSWD Central Office, Director Patricia Luna wherein she recognized the support of the Local Government Units thru the leadership of the Municipal Mayors in replicating the social technology projects for the betterment of their constituents. Also with Director Luna were her STB Division Chief, Ms. Marlyn Moral and DSWD Field Office 02 Social Technology Unit Head Ms. Pasencia T. Ancheta.

Meanwhile, MSWDO Carol Hubalde of the municipality of Ivana affirmed her commitment in the implementation of the social technology projects for the betterment of service delivery to disadvantaged sectors in their locality.

Prior to the MOA signing, last September 13, 2012, DSWD FO 02 and DSWD-STB conducted a social technology marketing on the eight completed social technology projects ready for replication which was attended by Governor Vicente S. GAto, Municipal Social Welfare Development Officers, Provincial Social Welfare Officer and staff, Panlalawigan and Sangguniang Bayan members, Committee Chairman on Social Welfare/Social services.

The eight developed social technology projects which will be replicated soon by Batanes province are Aruga at Kalinga Sa Mga Bata Sa Barangay ( Foster care in the Community), Use of the Modified Social Stress Model (MSSM) in Managing Children in Need of Special Protection, Special Drug Education Center (SDEC), Information Technology Literacy Program for Out–of –School Youth and Youth with Disability, Family Drug Abuse and Prevention Program (FDAPP), Comprehensive Intervention Against Gender Violence, Comprehensive Delivery of Reintegration Services for Deportees, Repatriates & Irregular OFWs and Sheltered Workshop for Older Person and Person with Disability. ### By Pasencia T. Ancheta, Head Social Technology Unit