FO7 Celebrates DSWD’s 68th Founding Anniversary

The Field Office VII celebrated the 68th founding anniversary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development with Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista during the kick-off activity of the week-long celebration.

Secretary Bautista met the Regional Management Development Committee (RMDC) where DSWD-7 presents its 2018 accomplishments and plans for 2019. Likewise, he reiterated the directive of the president to keep DSWD activities from politicians.

With this years’ theme “Katuwang sa pagbabago” or (Partners for Change), Secretary Bautista encouraged the cooperation of each staff toward success and admit that he cannot do it alone. “Sama-sama tayo!” said Sec. Bautista to the staff.

Another activity he attended was the opening of the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Bazaar together with OIC-Regional Director Rebecca Geamala, Assistant Regional Director for Operations Shalaine Marie Lucero and Assistant Regional Director for Administration Grace Subong. Secretary Bautista led the Ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The SLP Bazaar displayed products made by the beneficiaries as well as the handicrafts created by the inmates of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), as a way of helping them promote their products and gain income.

Furthermore, he also graced the blessing and dedication of the newly renovated Center for Women and Children.
This center was previously known as HerSPACE or Her to refer as Women/Girls and SPACE is the abbreviation for Service Providers Assessment Center. It is a temporary shelter for women and children who are rescued from human traffickers before transferring them to other centers. The name was change to Center for Women and Children since it is presently accepting rescued male children as well.

Former DSWD-7 Regional Director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre shared the difficulties that the DSWD experienced of having no care center to house the rescued persons. Most of them did not see it as a rescue but a stop of their economic endeavor. Hence, they became resentful and did dangerous things like burning the mattress at the center and threatening the staff with a kitchen knife.

“I could still remember that with the help of IJM we were able to survive in handling these victims of prostitution with nothing at all,” said Macapobre.

John Tanagho, Cebu field office director of International Justice Mission (IJM) expressed his gratitude for the opportunity of being able to serve and help the children who are victims of exploitation.

“It’s really a privilege and a blessing for us as an NGO to work with the law enforcer and those with the authority to rescue,” said Mr. Tanagho.

In his message, Secretary Bautista encouraged the parents to know online media education in order to protect their children from online sexual exploitation.

Secretary Bautista thanked the partners especially the IJM for its continued support. He said, “together we can fight exploitation.”

Another highlights of the anniversary celebration were the PANATA and PRAISE awards ceremony with Secretary Bautista as Keynote Speaker.

Panata Ko sa Bayan (Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan) is an award given to any individuals, groups or organizations who supports the departments programs and services.

Under the Panata Ko sa Bayan are sub-awards that include GAPAS Awards, Gawad Ulat among others.

Meanwhile, PRAISE (Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence) awards is given to DSWD employees or units who excelled in the performance of their functions.

Further, Loyalty Award is for employees who have served the department for 10 years or more.

The 2018 Panata Ko Sa Bayan awardees included the International Justice Mission, Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu-chi Foundation Philippines, Inc., Concordia Payot Vestal Foundation, Inc. and Mr. and Mrs. Nora and Vicente Kapuno.

Moreover, the municipality of Panglao in Bohol, Cebu City and Lapu-lapu City were the GAPAS awardees. GAPAS (Gawad Paglilingkod sa Sambayanan) is a commendation given to Local Government Unit (LGU) who implements DSWD programs and services.

The Gawad Ulat Award were given to Superbalita (Most Supportive Cebuano Newspaper), Cebu Daily News (Most Supportive English Newspaper), DYMR Radyo Pilipinas (Most Supportive Radio Station) Cebu Catholic Television Network channel 47 (Most Supportive Television Station) and Ms. Minerva Newman (Most Supportive Reporter). A special citation was also given to Philippine Information Agency-Cebu for its invaluable support to DSWD-7’s publicity and advocacy efforts.

Gawad Ulat is an award that recognizes media organizations and practitioners who advance the advocacy, promotion and publicity of the department’s programs and activities.

The PRAISE Awards recipients were given to Mr. Dioscoro Pancho (Best Utility Worker), Mr. Danilo A. Parantar (Best Driver), Ms. Elsa L. Bastinen (Best Houseparent), Ms. Edlyn S. Cangque (Best COS Worker- Admin), Ms. Joanna Liza L. Aparece(Best COS Worker-Techincal), Ms. Ma. Theresa B. Enot (Best Admin Support Staff – Sub professional), Ms. Rhealyn B. Tajanlangit (Best Admin Support Staff – Professional), Ms. Brenda B. Abilo (Best Social Worker), Ms. Genara A. Burlat (Best Supervisor), Dir. Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre (Best Manager) and Ms. Grace Q. Subong (Gawad Huwaran).

Also, The PRAISE Awards for the group category went to Visayas Disaster Resource Center (Cost Economy Measure Award), Municipal Action Team of Moalboal, Cebu (Best Convergence Action Team), Budget Section (Best Support Office) and Adoption Resource and Referral Section (Best Operations Office).

The loyalty awards for employees serving the department for 10 years were Ms. Rosalina C. Allosada, Ms. Melinda D. Cañares, Ms. Ligaya G. Dael, Ms. Hazel A. Ornopia, Ms. Lynn Mary P. Pino, Mr. Emerson M. Roma, Ms. Rosalind G. Sales and Mr. Michael V. Solera.

Ms. Leah T. Quintana and Ms. Rosita M. Ricardo received the recognition for 15 years of service, while Ms. Aileen G. Cuevas and Mr. Charlie G. Egos for the 20 years.

The 30 years of service awardees were Ms. Remetona F. Bantigue, Ms. Maria Rosana D. Coritico, Ms. Marilou O. Cortes, Ms. Helen P. Diola, Ms. Ramonita B. Montañez, Ms. Rosemarie S. Salazar, Ms. Corazon F. Sarmago and Ms. Rosalina A. Tatoy.

Ms. Portia T. Garcia received the recognition for her 35 years of loyal service.

Other service awardees were the retirees. They were Mr. Apostol S. Alcarez, Ms. Felicidad C. Auxtero, Ms. Daisy M. Biasong, Ms.Papiasa B. Bustrillos, Ms. Herminia L. Cabahug, Mr. Paquito S. Flores, Ms. Portia T. Garcia, Ms. Reynalda N. Gullan, Mr. Marcelino C. Pancho and Ms. Edna A. Regudo.

Meanwhile, the DSWD staff performed different Latin dances to the delight of everyone.

Sec. Bautista praised and thanked the whole Field Office 7 for its untiring efforts, participation and determination to truly serve the poor.

He also encouraged the staff to continue our cooperation with other agencies to better serve the beneficiaries.

“Uniting all efforts of government agencies, NGOs, NGAs, and CSOs and streamlining the bureaucracy will enable us to focus better on our mission to deliver social services and development programs for the benefit and uplifting of our nation’s poor, marginalized and vulnerable people.”

Secretary Bautista urged everyone to live the DSWDs 68th year anniversary theme which is the “Katuwang sa Pagbabago” by having a good grasp of the prevailing problems of the provinces and its people.