DSWD Kicks Off It’s 65th Anniversary

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII is celebrating the agency’s 65th Founding Anniversary.

The week-long celebration kicked off yesterday, February 9, 2016, Tuesday with a Holy Mass at the DSWD Field Office VII grounds and an opening salvo which was attended by the employees from various programs, as well as from its support personnel.

In his welcome remarks, Assistant Regional Director for Administration (ARDA) Marcial G. Fernandez recounted the historical background of the agency.

“Kaniadto nailhan ta nga Social Welfare and Administration o SWA. Kung musakay ka ug jeep, kabalo na dayun ang mga driver kung asa ang opisina sa SWA diri sa Cebu (Before we were known as the Social Welfare and Administration or SWA. Even jeepney drivers already knew the location of SWA office here in Cebu),” said ARDA Fernandez.
On May 1, 1968 the SWA became the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) with the passage of Republic Act 5416 or the Social Welfare Act of 1968. Elevating the Social Welfare Administration to a Department meant greater autonomy, increased personnel, expanded program and coverage and more client served.

In 1976, DSW was renamed Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) to underscore the shift in image of the Department from dole out to development, from hand-out of relief to productivity and eventually to self-actualization.

“Pagsulod naku sa DSSD niadtong 1978, giusab ang pangalan niini nga Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) under the Marcos administration (When I enter DSSD in 1978, it was changed to Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) under the Marcos administration),” added ARDA Fernandez.
When President Corazon C. Aquino came to power after the People Power Revolution in 1986, she reorganized the bureaucracy including MSSD.

“In 1987, President Aquino issued an Executive Order 123 that reorganized the MSSD and renamed it as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),” said ARDA Fernandez.

“As we celebrate its 65th anniversary, I hope we continue to strive to fulfill DSWD’s mission and vision, that is to uplift the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors in our society,” emphasized ARDA Fernandez.
Various parlor games, parade of beautiful muses and opening of Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) bazaar added color to the opening salvo.

On Friday February 12, 2016, the DSWD-7 will honor Local Government Units (LGUs), Non-Government Organizations, private individuals, partner-beneficiaries and its model employees who have been instrumental in achieving the goals of the department.