The DSWD Field Office 7 Regional Haven for Women was named the champion in the Best Center category at the 2024 National PRAISE Awards, held by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during its awards ceremony on March 14, 2025, in Malate, Manila.
The Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) Awards is a Philippine government initiative that recognizes, acknowledges, and rewards employees for their productive, creative, innovative, and ethical behaviors to promote service excellence.
PRAISE Awards have been part of the DSWD anniversary celebrations. In its 74th anniversary celebration, with the theme “Bawat Pamilya ay Mahalaga sa Bagong Pilipinas,” the awards aim to confer recognition on exemplary public servants who deliver DSWD’s programs and services.
The Regional Haven for Women, one of five centers managed by DSWD in Central Visayas, provides rehabilitation programs and protective services for women who are victim-survivors of abuse and violence.
To be named the ‘Best Center,’ a center and residential care facility must exhibit outstanding efforts in healing, rehabilitation, and empowering its clients. The Haven for Women has consistently shown this dedication for the last three years.
In 2025, the center will celebrate its 32nd anniversary, focusing on empowering women, advocating for the protection of women from all forms of abuse, and strengthening its mechanisms for reporting VAWC.
It has vowed to amplify its voice, reminding everyone that there is a safe haven for women in crisis and to end VAWC.
“Our partnerships with various organizations and offices, both within and outside of DSWD, have made this achievement possible. Without their support, we would not have been able to fulfill our mission for our clients,” said Ananisa F. Aviso, the former head of the RHW center and now the sector focal person for women.
She remarked that the recognition serves as a fitting tribute to all the women who have spent time at the center—those who have undergone rehabilitation and gained independence. Aviso also expressed her appreciation for the dedication of the staff, whose commitment reflects the impactful work.
She emphasized that receiving the award during Women’s Month adds even more significance to this recognition. “It is a fitting tribute to our celebration and strengthens our advocacy for building a network of women who are willing to fight for and support our cause,” she stated.
Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero, who accompanied Aviso to receive the award, said that the recognition affirms the commitment to excellence in DSWD service delivery.
“I believe that the many accomplishments of RHW can be the result of its strategic partnerships, innovative programs, and services that directly address the needs of its clients. These approaches truly set the center apart and highlight why it deserves this recognition,” she stated.
Some notable achievements include the digitization efforts in operations and data management, which have streamlined processes and improved overall efficiency in providing service to its clients.
Furthermore, the “Lampers” initiative, short for Mother’s Saving Care: Switching to Cost-Efficient Lampin Diapers for Child Care, offers a cost-effective solution for childcare to mothers in the community.
Center of Excellence
Since achieving its Level III accreditation, the center has become a social laboratory for other facilities and social welfare and development agencies as a model for delivering effective programs and services.
The center’s practices, as well as its approach to rehabilitating and preparing victim-survivors for independent living, have set a high standard for others to emulate.
Director Lucero emphasized that the center’s recent recognition motivates others to visit and learn from its operations. By sharing its best practices, others can learn to address the needs of women who have experienced abuse, ensuring they receive the necessary care and support to rebuild their lives. ###
(44) Views