Frontline-1stQTR-2016

In line with the 65th anniversary celebration of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), outstanding employees were given
recognition through the PRAISE and Loyalty Awards
held at AIM Conference Center, Makati City on
January 27, 2016.
Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman (in pink Filipiniana) personally hands the
certificates of recognition to the members of MAT Talacogon as 2nd place
Best Functioning Action Team (Photo Credits: Jane Pulido)
Infrastructure, commercial, and
agro-industrial sectors have
always been the top priorities
among the developing countries
such as the Philippines.
In terms of formulation of key
policies, programs, and budget
allocation, the municipality of
San Francisco, Agusan del Sur,
however, is making a different
trend. The Local Social Welfare and
Development (LSWDO) topped
the budget appropriations for
the year 2015; a scenario which
some consider a deviance to the
customary.
As to the appropriations at
the local level, some social
welfare offices lag behind
livelihood, infrastructure, and
agricultural offices. We have
been entrenched of the tangible
dogma at development which
includes building, concrete roads
and infrastructure as hallmarks
of progress. This in turn causes a
decline in interest on intangible
yet vital aspects of development
which include social services.
The relentless effort to put
emphasis in finding social services
through comprehensive reports
and statistics made a shift on the
trend. This has created a wakeup
call to put a halt on downplaying
the significance of social welfare
agenda as it is already considered
to be an important determinant of
sustainable growth and progress.
Networking and Resource
Allocation on Display
What better way to ask for
budget increase than to
show concrete evidence of
accomplishments despite
having a lower budget in
the preceding years? The
MSWDO exemplary display
a professional disposition in
times of local performance
checkpoint by showing a good
track record amidst financial
constraints.
So how it is really done and
accomplished? Having a low
budget allocation has never
been a top consideration
on one’s performance and
after all, MSWD is primarily all
about service. This created
an innovative working
environment as a response to
the challenge. Resources are
utilized and mobilized outside
the office to keep in the loop
of delivering programs and
services for the clients such
as those from the barangays
and the Non-Government
Organizations (NGOs) and
People’s Organizations (POs)
such as the Rotary Clubs.
There is this unique bond that
links the MSWD office and
the barangay that is rooted
deeper than just merely giving
and receiving relief goods in
times of disasters. This way used
merely as an advantage in the
successful implementation of
the programs and services in the
barangays. Usually, programs
with limited or no budget
allocation are scraped out in the
line-up of services, but not in this
case. In fact, this has even made
them more eager to deliver
despite the situation. Support
from the barangay officials and
private service providers within
the network played a huge
part in the implementation
of programs and projects
despite the surrounding limiting
circumstances.
Children in conflict with the law
(CICL) on top of the priorities
The office was instrumental in
maintaining a profiling activity
on the status of children every
year. They made it a point that
the barangays embrace this
survey like profiling on children
to capture children in need
of special protection (CNSP)
that is including CICL and
Children At Risk (CAR) cases. The
consolidated result showed that
right now, there are at least 20
CICL or CAR cases yearly and
it is increasing. The trend also
suggests that along with the
growing economy of the LGU,
a social problem such as CICL is
sprouting. San Francisco is more
looking like a full grown city than
the other officially anointed
Cities in Caraga just recently.
For Field Office Caraga, Social Technology and
Standards Unit Head Golda V. Pocon was awarded
as one of the Outstanding DSWD Workers as Public
Servants.
Her numerous significant and notable contributions
in the Department were recognized through the
accolade.
DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano Soliman and
Caraga Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli during
the PRAISE and Loyalty Awards
for the DSWD 65th Anniversary
Also an awardee is the group of the Municipal
Action Team (MAT) in Talacogon, Agusan del
Sur with members Arnold B. Manalo, Reynalie
Jane P. Salvacion, Lovely Mae B. Corpuz, Juniel
D. Cabiling, Shiela Rose W. Bauson, Annabelle
Labrador, Cristy A. Rocero, Marlon Radaza,
Daryl P. Prado, Al Aguillon, Rienalyn Durango,
Frietz Gerald Montejo, Princess Leolyn Balacuit,
Jerr Seigfred Kalinawan, Engr. Wilben Narbara,
Charme Lou S. Tero, and Leo Tristan S Bagcat.
The said team got the second place spot of the
Best Functioning Action Team award.
MAT Talacogon was assessed as a functional Convergence team
with the obvious presence of the following elements: unified
office space with sufficient, appropriate equipment and logistics,
presence of an organizational chart, identity/brand formulated
which is Mahigugmaong Talacogon, own Vision, Mission, and
Goals anchored on the VMG of the Department, regular conduct
of monthly MAT and Municipal Convergence Action Committee
meetings, and Scorecard and Action Plans.
DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and Undersecretary
Camilo G. Gudmalin personally handed the plaques of recognition
and cash prizes to the awardees who were accompanied by
DSWD-Caraga Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli.
Brigoli also received a Loyalty Award for her 40 years in public
service.
The said staff and official will again be recognized in the regional
celebration of Field Office Caraga on February 19, 2016 at Almont
Hotel’s Inland Resort, Butuan City.
The giving of awards under the PRAISE (Program for Rewards,
Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence) awards is an annual
activity of the DSWD to encourage and recognize exemplary
performance of its employees nationwide.
This year’s 65th Anniversary Celebration of DSWD bears the theme, “DSWD@65: Mga Kwento ng Tagumpay
Tungo sa Masaganang Pagbabago”.
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16 JAN-MAR 2016 Caraga Frontline
JAN-MAR 2016 Caraga Frontline 17