KORONADAL CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has strengthened its ties with partner agencies in the delivery of basic social services to vulnerable sectors in the region. 

This was revealed by Cezario Joel Espejo, DSWD-12 regional director, who said that its one of the agency’s steps to acquire international standard certification.

Dir. Espejo made the pronouncement as he presided over on Wednesday the quarterly meeting of Unified Protection and Welfare Committee, a group of line government agencies in the frontline working to address the needs of marginalized sectors. 

These agencies include the National Economic and Development Authority; National Commission on Indigenous Peoples;  Department of Labour and Employment, Public Attorney’s Office, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and representative from the Non-Government Organizations.

Dir. Espejo said the DSWD gave short briefings about its programs on “Listahanan” or the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) where there is an ongoing assessment of households for possible inclusion in government programs; Minors Traveling Abroad; and the implementation of Executive Order No. 70.

Under EO-70 that was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in December 2018 it states the government shall prioritize and harmonize the delivery of basic services and social development packages in conflict-affected areas and -vulnerable communities, facilitate societal inclusivity and ensure active participation of all sectors of society in the pursuit of the country’s peace agenda.

“With the the help of other agencies, we will double our efforts to efficiently deliver social services to the people,” Dir. Espejo said. 

Dir. Espejo explained the agency effort in pushing for a strong collaboration is part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive for a while-nation approach in providing programs and services to the public. ( JBM / DSWD)