The Department of Social Welfare and Development- National Capital Region celebrates 70th Founding Anniversary of DSWD on March 9, 2021 at the Swiss-Belhotel Blulane, Tomas Mapua St. Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Honorable Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, DSWD Undersecretary Danilo G. Pamonag, DSWD Region IV-B Regional Director Fernando De Villa, Head Executive Assistant Atty. Georgia Ruby Gascon, DSWD NCR Regional Director Vicente Gregorio B. Tomas graced the said event.
It is also participated in by DSWD NCR OIC Assistant Regional Director for Operations, Ms. Edna J. Sacedor, DSWD NCR OIC Assistant Regional Director for Administration, Ms. Manuela M. Loza, and the other members of the Management Committee together with DSWD NCR Loyalty, PRAISE and Retirees awardees.
This year’s celebration is different from the usual celebration of the Field Office. Because of the pandemic, limited attendees and guests were invited to join the momentous event, while other DSWD employees and staff were invited virtually.
“We found strength sa mga taong pinagsisilbihan natin. Last year was really challenging and DSWD Central Office and other regions ay hindi exempted dito sa pandemya. Marami ang nagkaroon ng sakit ngunit sa ating pagsunod sa mahigpit ng mga protocol, unti-unti ay nabawasan ang ating mga kasamahan na tinamaan ng sakit. Sa kabila nito, hindi ito nakahadlang sa ating adhikain upang makapagbigay ng Serbisyong May Malasakit para sa ating kapwa. Sa kabila ng maraming pagsubok na ating pinagdaaanan, narito pa rin tayo Team NCR, Team DSWD. Gabayan nawa tayo ng Panginoon at ating ipagpatuloy ang pagtulong sa ating kapwa na lubos na nangangailangan.”
Regional Director Vicente Gregorio B. Tomas welcomes the retirees, PRAISE and Loyalty awardees in this event as their untiring efforts and passion to serve our dear clients are recognized. He reminisced the inevitable challenges encountered by the Field Office in 2020. “
The opening remarks was followed by the awarding of ten (10) Media Partners and Practitioners who advance the advocacy, promotion and publicity of the Department’s programs and activities and the awarding of the 16 PRAISE Awards which includes the recognition of Ms. Manuela M. Loza as awardee of the National PRAISE Best Division Chief.
The loyalty and retiree awarding ceremonies paved way to give honor to seven (7) awardees for rendering 10 years in service, three (3) awardees for 15 years in service, six (6) awardees for 25 years in service, four (4) awardees for 30 years in service, two (2) awardees for 35 years in service, (2) awardees for 40 years in service and 10 retired awardees.
The Department also gave the Posthumous Award to nine (9) staff who showed exemplary service and untiring support to the implementation of Projects, Programs and Activities in the Department during their years in DSWD NCR.
The Honorable Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista delivered a special message acknowledging the DSWD NCR’S Regional Director, Management Committee, the awardees, retirees and the DSWD NCR public servants who selflessly gave themselves in serving the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyo dahil sa walang humpay na pagtulong at pagbibigay ng serbisyo lalo na ang implementasyon ng Social Amelioration Program na pinatibay ang ating dedikasyon sa paglilingkod sa ating kapwa. Tayo ay nagkaisa at nagdamayan nang mga panahong ito. Naisasakatuparan natin ang ating mga plano kapag tayo ay mananatiling malusog sa pisikal, kaisipan at ispiritwal na aspeto”.
The Secretary reminded the staff in-charge on the monitoring of COVID 19 cases in the Field Office to revisit protocols to ensure safety of the staff against the new variants of COVID. He also reiterated that we should not be complacent and continuously look after each other so that we can continue to perform the noble job of helping the people.
To formally end the program, Ms. Rowela F. Hizon, Anniversary Chairperson gave her closing remarks through her own written poetry entitled “SARDINAS KAYO DIYAN”.
“Ano nga ba ang sardinas para sa atin? Para sa maralitang nakakaalam nito, ito ay isang de latang pinapamigay tuwing may kalamidad at unos na dumarating sa ating bansa. Sardinas na simbolo ng agarang ayuda mula sa gobyerno. Ayuda mula sa sinumpaang serbisyo na inilalapit sa tao at sino ang ahensyang ito? DSWD”.
With the theme “Kabalikat ng Mahihirap sa Panahon ng Pandemya”, DSWD-NCR aims to strengthen its efforts to achieve its vision, which is to free all Filipinos from hunger and poverty, having equal access to opportunities , enabled by a fair, just, and peaceful society.
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Article written by Ms. Gracille Anne Tarroquin, Information Officer of Social Marketing Office.