DSWD bares 2017 dev’t plans for Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 31 (PNA) –- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office here has bared its 10-point agenda this year to improve the delivery of services to poor families in Eastern Visayas.

DSWD Regional Director Restituto Macuto said leading the 10-point agenda of the agency is to sustain the implementation of programs and projects using the convergence approach of the three core poverty programs.

These programs are the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Service (Kalahi-CIDSS).

The regional office will also enhance coordination with local government units and other partners along disaster management. They will also ensure that disaster-related activities and efforts are in accordance with the existing Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management law.

“This can be achieved through proper and efficient provision of technical assistance as well as proper prepositioning of assistance,” Macuto said.

The DSWD field office here will also improve the implementation of social protection programs for the vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors of children needing special protection, women in especially difficult circumstances, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens.

“We will institute reforms in the financial management system and accelerate as well as maximize the utilization of financial resources and disbursement of funds with zero balance at the end of each year,” the DSWD regional chief explained.

The field office vowed to strengthen the implementation of SLP and ensure the sustainability of associations to become self-sufficient in coordination with other government agencies.

They also aim for at least two centers of excellence by 2020 through improvement of center facilities and establishment of a comprehensive case management system, which would serve as a social work laboratory.

Another priority is the provision of a safe, comfortable and conducive working space and environment for DSWD field office employees through the completion of the phase 2 of new building.

They will also work for the construction of a warehouse for food and non-food items at a 5,000 square meter lot under a usufruct agreement with Leyte provincial government.

The department will also look into the improvement of welfare of the DSWD workforce by regularizing services employees, provide benefits to workers, and institutionalize “care to the carers.”

Lastly, the DSWD will develop emerging leaders in DSWD by providing support for continuing professional education of middle managers; support and coach young leaders or staff acquire professional credentials.

“This 2017, I hope that we can continue to fairly treat every individual, families and community and for our partner agencies in the government and private sector. Let us continue this partnership and collaboration heartily. Let us show the people the real essence of public service by taking care and fairly treating each other,” Macuto added. (PNA)

LAP/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR