With a theme: “DSWD@66:May Malasakit,” the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) culminated this year’s anniversary celebration through the recognition of loyalty awardees composed of staff who have reached another milestone in their public service and giving tribute for its 2016 retirees.
Held on February 22, 2017 at the Field Office grounds, Assistant Secretary Hope Hervilla joined the DSWD-NCR officials and staff in the celebration by assisting the awarding of plaque and cash incentives to the loyalty awardees and plaque of appreciation for the retirees.
In her keynote speech, ASec. Hervilla expressed how amazed she was that some staff has served the Department for more than a decade which for her is a true love not only for their profession but for the people they are serving as well.
“Thank you for bringing me here, thank you for bringing me at the level of this experience for 66 years of celebration… thank you Director Leyson.. thank you awardees because I think this experience is not an ordinary experience. This is an experience that brings me to a new level of giving service to the people… I think 40 years, 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, is a long years of patience, of understanding , of love, to our work, to our people and I salute you for that,”ASec. Hervilla emphasized.
Meanwhile, Ms. Charito R. Paran, Social Welfare Officer III from Elsie Gaches Village (EGV) and is now in her 35th year in service reminisced the moments she has during her earlier years in the Department where she handles the women’s programs.
Ms. Paran also proudly narrated in her speech on how a former client showed up to her and humbly expressed gratitude to the Department as the said former client is now an instructor for skills training in food processing.
Regional Director Vincent Andrew T. Leyson likewise congratulated the awardees as they demonstrated true love and compassion for the clients being served by the Department which made them stayed for more than a decade in service.
“May we continuously love (our work) without expecting anything in return… we know in DSWD that we still have more clients to serve who really need our assistance… yet, we are also hopeful that with our help and support of our stakeholders, we can uplift the level of well-being of our clients who are in need.”
As response from the retirees, Ms. Florida O. Corpuz, Houseparent II at Sanctuary Center and has served the Department for 39 years shared her thoughts of considering them, the retirees, as graduates.
“I choose the word graduate rather than retiree… If I say I retire, as if I won’t take a bath daily anymore… the word graduate for me is a feeling of advancing to a higher pedestal in the university of love,” Ms. Corpuz shared.
A total of 45 loyalty awardees received their cash incentives and plaque during the activity while 12 retirees received their plaques and given with tribute for their selfless and compassionate service to the clients being served by the Department. ###