Sec. Taguiwalo Attends DSWD-7 Anniversary Celebration

Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo recently was in Cebu for her first official visit to keynote the 66th anniversary celebration of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7), bared DSWD-7 Regional Information Officer Leah Quintana.

Taguiwalo’s itinerary included the gracing of the blessing of the new DSWD-7 Regional Learning Resource Center and the new regional warehouse in Labangon and the awarding ceremony at the SM Seaside, Cebu City on February 9.

The Secretary also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) between Dilaab Foundation for the aftercare, integration and transformation of recovering drug dependents and with Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for the implementation of the Lingap sa Masa, a program of the Duterte administration that provides free medicine to indigents and needy government workers.

Taguiwalo also witnessed the signing of the Terms of Reference between the Department of Science and Technology-7 (DOST-7) for the storage of product test samples of ready-to- eat (RTE) smoked fish rice meal in pouch for disaster response.

During her speech, the DSWD chief assured MOA workers will get more benefits aside from the recent gratuity pay to be released this month. Taguiwalo, who was Founding National President of the All University of the Philippines Academic Employee Union and a founder of All-UP Workers’ Alliance, only wished she could provide job security to cost of service employees of DSWD citing that there are MOA workers who have been with the agency for more than 10 years.

“But as you know, the power does not lie with me but with the DBM,” she said. Taguiwalo assured the MOA workers that they will also benefit from second tranche of the Salary Standardization Law on top of the 10 percent premium, that elicited strong applause from the crowd.

“We hope to do more with the consent of the President to ensure that our MOA workers will receive more benefits while regular workers are promoted base on their accomplishments,” she said.

Taguiwalo thanked everyone especially the partners who helped DSWD in delivering its various programs and services.

“I stand proud with all of you today as we look back to the successes of the past year,” she said. Taguiwalo also reiterated Pres. Duterte’s instructions: “We are here not to lord over the people but to serve them.”

Meanwhile, the DSWD-7 awardees were composed of civil society organizations, private institutions, people organizations and local government units (LGU), exemplary and loyal staff who have served the agency for more than ten years.

Among the recipients were Nida Cagigas (Best House Help), Evaine Gladys Manzano (Social Welfare Assistant),

Donald Rey Dejacto (Best Technical Staff), Aimee Fei Binongo (Best Administrative Support Staff), Basilides Omboy (Best Utility Worker), Maricor Caballero (Best MOA Worker), Roganciano Libaton (Best Driver) and Kerwin Macopia (Gawad Huwaran Award).

Vitaliana Pancho, Basilides Omboy, Bebiana Legaspi, Marlou Perales also got the Gawad sa Kalihim Award. Moreover, Loyalty awards for 10 years went to Daisy Lor, Evelyn Desabille, Pilar Corbes, Reymundo Cahayagan, Asteria Geraldizo and Rosa Vida Diva.

Clavel Saycon and Christopher Camarillo were the awardees for 20 years while Grace Yana, Ramir Rivera and Catalino Galve were the awardees for the 25 years of service with the department. Rizalina Patindol and Marcelino Pancho have been with the agency for 30 years while Raul Minoza, a polio victim, served the agency for 35 years now.

Service award also went to retirees Jaybee Binghay, Marcial Fernandez, Bibiana Horvath and Leticia Nazaret. This year’s Gapas awardees were the LGUs of Cebu City, Consolacion, Cebu and Dalaguete, Cebu. Bohol Federation of People with Disability also received the same award. Gapas Award was also given as commendation to LGUs and POs that have implemented DSWD programs and services which significantly contributed in thier respective communities.

Salamat Po Award went to Innodata Knowledge Services Inc. in recognition of its selfless assistance through the donation of resources and services to the Home for Girls, a DSWD center catering to children survivors of abused, neglect and exploitation.

The Freeman, DYHP and Cebu Catholic Television Network were the recepients of the 2016 Gawad Ulat Award. (rmn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu/DSWD-7)