The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7—Central Visayas held an information caravan for mental health and disaster response programs, as well as to promote the advocacy of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and their Children in Barangay Luz, Cebu, on November 22, 2024.

The members of barangay women groups, senior citizens federation, daycare and health workers, nutrition scholars, public safety officers, fire volunteers, VAWC desk officers and staff, and members of the Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Paternal Abilities (ERPAT) participated in the caravan.

Talks and discussions on mental health awareness through the WiSUPPORT program, disaster response management, and the advocacy of the 18-day campaign to end violence against women and their children.

Through the caravan, DSWD aims to recognize the importance of mental health in the lives of ordinary citizens, especially those who care for others aided by the Department’s free mental health and psychosocial services called WiSUPPORT.

During the caravan, the resource persons also reminded the participants of the dangers of online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC) and of the reporting mechanism in case of abuse and violence against children, the ‘MAKABATA HELPLINE 1383.’

In addition, the Social Marketing Unit initiated the use of gender and development (GAD) prayer to support the campaign to end VAW and the recitation of the ‘Panatang Makabata’ pledge in celebration of the national children’s month before the start of the activity.

Addressing his constituents, Councilor Tito Durano thanked the participants for allocating their time to join the activity in the hopes of learning more about DSWD. “Ang inyong partisipasyon niining aktibidad sa DSWD nagpakita sa inyong kaakohan nga mahimong instrumento sa kabag-ohan diri sa atong komunidad kay kamo ang magdala sa tinuod ug insaktong impormasyon (Your participation in this activity shows your willingness to be an instrument of change in our community because you are the ones who will bring true and correct information),” he said.

Through the discussion and distribution of information materials, the SMS hopes to increase community awareness of DSWD, gather support from the participants to become potential influencers, and eventually become advocates.

Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero emphasized in a video message that the information caravan serves as a mechanism to share correct information with the public. “This is an opportunity for local officials to know more about the DSWD and inform their constituents the programs and services that they can possibly know since they offer frontline service to their communities,” she added.

The caravan of information sharing is one of the many efforts of the Department to ensure that communities get the correct information and help them make informed decisions. ###

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