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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 – Central Visayas, through its Technical/Advisory Assistance and Other Related Support Services (TAAORSS) team, successfully conducted the Bohol Local Social Welfare and Development Officers’ (LSWDOs) Consultation Dialogue on May 29–30, 2025, in Tagbilaran City.

Participants of the Bohol LSWDOs’ Consultation Dialogue assess their LGUs’ compliance with key legal mandates during their sector-based workshop on May 29, 2025, in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

The activity convened 43 LSWDOs across the province to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and improved implementation of social welfare programs at the local level.

The two-day dialogue focused on the Workshop on Sectoral Compliance, where LSWDO representatives were grouped by sector: Women, Children, Youth, Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and Families.

Each group identified non-negotiable legal provisions and assessed their local government units’ (LGUs) current compliance. This, then, allowed for peer learning, collective reflection, and benchmarking of local performance in social welfare service delivery.

One of the highlights of the dialogue was the session on LGU Budget Preparation and Strategic Alignment led by Mr. Peter Ross Retutal, Bohol Provincial Budget Officer. He emphasized the crucial role of LSWDOs in aligning sectoral priorities with the local planning and budgeting processes to ensure program sustainability.

Meanwhile, a separate session on Good Practice Documentation encouraged participants to highlight and replicate innovative and effective local initiatives that benefit vulnerable sectors.

The consultation dialogue also served as a venue for expressions of support from national and regional officials. Assistant Regional Director Juanito C. Cantero, Chairperson of the Regional/Provincial Monitoring Team (RPMT), delivered a message of solidarity, reaffirming the Department’s support for local social welfare systems.

RPMT Vice Chairperson Ms. Jiah L. Sayson and Provincial Team Leader Ms. Emma F. Patalinghug, who extended their insights and commitment to the province’s LSWDOs, joined ARDO Cantero.

In her message, DSWD 7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero assured the participants of the Department’s full support to the province of Bohol.

“As social workers, we must recognize that sectoral, program-specific, and institutionalized operations, especially those tied to facilities and manpower, are vital pillars in delivering meaningful SWD interventions.” RD Lucero stated.

She also encouraged the LSWDOs to use data to establish trends, analyze community needs, draw conclusions, and use it as a basis for planning, budgeting, and formulating or improving local policies and programs.

The Bohol LSWDO Consultation Dialogue is DSWD’s commitment to continuously strengthening local social welfare systems to ensure no sector is left behind. ###