PCOO Exec Vows to Work for More Social Welfare Projects for C. Visayas

A Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) official on Thursday vowed to be a conduit for more projects intended for women and children under the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 (Central Visayas).

PCOO Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy met with DSWD-7 personnel at the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC) in Barangay Labangon here and said she will “work closely” with Regional Director, Rebecca Geamala, “so that we can give the best” for the people under their care.

Badoy was DSWD assistant secretary before her appointment as undersecretary of the PCOO.

A physician by profession, she was instrumental in the release of PHP2.3-billion in funds intended for the construction and repair of different institutions run by the department before moving to Malacañang’s communications office.

“While I’m here at the PCOO, I will strive to be your bridge to our President and our Secretaries,” Badoy told the personnel who accompanied her in touring the four facilities at the AVRC II field office of DSWD-7.

She asked Geamala to make her as an instrument for more social development programs in the region.

“I only see myself as an instrument. That’s all. And I want you to use my position. Because this is a powerful position and that power is not to be kept for ourselves. It’s to be given to those who have nothing, who have no power,” Badoy remarked.

She also cited the contributions of social workers in operationalizing President Rodrigo Duterte’s social welfare programs for the poor.

“No matter how good our President is and no matter how sincere and incorruptible, he can only do so much. We all need each other. You’re the front-liners. Me, I can go away and nothing much will happen. You are the ones there on the ground,” she said.

“Buti na lang the President really loves the people talaga lalo na yung mga inaapi (It’s a good thing that the President really loves the people. Really, specially those who are victims of oppression),” she added.

Badoy also commended the DSWD-7 for its hard work in fast-tracking the completion of four buildings intended that will house more “clientele”.

She visited the construction site of the AVRC II for the vocational rehabilitation and skills training of persons with disability (PWDs); Regional Haven for Women as residential center for abused women and their dependents; Reception and Study Center for Children that will house abandoned, neglected and foundling children while waiting for alternative parental care; and Home for Girls that will provide care for abused children.

“Of course, it’s nice to have all these buildings. But there’s no substitute for a social worker, for a public servant, for a human being who has a heart for most specially those have nothing, who are the ones in the center, na yun ang pinakawalang-wala (those who have nothing at all),” she said. (PNA)