Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian underscored the role of the local chief executives (LCEs) in the agency’s delivery of quality programs and services in a timely and appropriate manner to the poor, vulnerable, disadvantaged, and marginalized individuals and families across the regions.

The DSWD chief made the statement via video during the dialogue proper of the three-day Visayas Island Consultation Dialogue of local social welfare and development officers (LSWDOs) and local chief executives (LCEs) in Cebu.

The three-day consultation dialogue focused on areas of partnership between the DSWD and local government units (LGUs) for technical assistance towards improved social welfare and development (SWD) service delivery. It also covered exchanges of best practices in the public services facilitated by DSWD and LGU officials who evaluated the current challenges and prevailing issues that impede the implementation of SWD services at the local level to arrive at effective and sustainable solutions.

Undersecretary for Standards and Capacity Building Group (SCBG) Denise Florence Bernos-Bragas led the DSWD officials in the dialogue. She was accompanied by Assistant Secretary Janet Armas of SCBG and Regional Directors Arwin Razo, Shalaine Marie Lucero, and Grace Subong of regions 6, 7, and 8, respectively.

The activity highlights included the background of the consultation dialogue and presentation of the three-year Technical Assistance Plan for LGUs based on the Priority Indicators Identified in the SDCA Reassessment Results, presentation of the national plan of the Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines Inc. (ALSWDOPI), updates on the agreements from the SDCA consultation workshops, presentation of technical assistance plan and Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E) plan, executive orientation on Social Welfare and Social Protection; discussion on the Partnership Contracting Provisions, Roles, and Responsibilities of DSWD and LGUs, presentation of program updates under SCBG cluster; mainstreaming RLA, DSWD Academy Operations, course offerings or training courses for 2025, discussion on the Solo Parent Act, and ways forward.

Undersecretary for Standards and Capacity Building Group (SCBG) Denise Florence Bernos-Bragas and Daanbantayan, Cebu Mayor Sun J. Shimura, who is also the president of the League of Municipalities (LMP) Cebu and Vice President of the LMP Visayas Island Cluster led the symbolic signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA).

In her welcome message, DSWD 7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero said the consultation dialogue serves as an opportunity for both organizations to strengthen bonds, fulfill commitments, and have better arrangements to effectively respond to technical assistance needs and provide support.

“This activity is a way to strengthen the efficient and effective delivery of quality services to the poor, the marginalized, disadvantaged individuals, families, and the community,” Director Lucero added.

About 168 mayors or representatives from the three regions participated in the consultation dialogue, while there were 290 LSWDOs.

Region 7 has 74 mayors or representatives, the highest attendance in the consultation dialogue, while Regions 6 and 8 have 22 and 68, respectively. The same as to LSWDOs, where Region 7 has 133 attendees, while Regions 6 and 8 have 44 and 113, respectively.

Meanwhile, Secretary Gatchalian took the opportunity to recognize the critical role that LGUs played, saying that partnerships between the DSWD and LGUs should be reciprocal, fostering an environment where they can learn from each other and strengthen their collective capabilities.

He emphasized that LGUs are the front lines; bringing DSWD programs’ culture to the communities they serve and helping the poor and vulnerable requires a commitment to serve, diligence, and competence to establish service delivery standards.

“To help us with this mission, we have developed this service capacity assessment tool. This tool helps us assess the capacity of the local government units, enabling us to identify areas where technical assistance is most needed. By understanding your strengths and challenges, we can draw upon the necessary resources to provide targeted support,” Secretary Gatchalian said, stressing that the Department will ensure that efforts are aligned to respond effectively to the needs of the communities they serve.

For his part, Mayor Shimura said that they will see how their direction should be through this consultation.

“Hindi yung pagdating ng implementasyon, kanya kanya tayo ng diskarte. With our limited resources in the LGUs, we want to focus on providing the best service to our constituents. And with the help of DSWD, we aim to provide more with the little that we have,” he added. ###

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