The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s National Capital Region office (DSWD FO-NCR) recently met with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to discuss a partnership through the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) Program.

The JOCV Program sends Japanese volunteers worldwide to provide technical support, foster cultural exchange, and build international cooperation across various development sectors.

Among the identified CRCFs for the proposed volunteer deployment are facilities serving children and youth, namely: Haven for Children, Marillac Hills–National Training School for Girls (NTSG), Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY), Elsie Gaches Village (EGV), Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC), and Nayon ng Kabataan (NK).

Assistant Regional Director for Operations Bienvenido Barbosa Jr. welcomed the JICA delegation and shared his enthusiasm for the opportunities that this program could bring to the region’s care facilities and residents. Regional Center Coordinator Jhonabie M. Villamor facilitated the meeting. The JICA delegation, led by Chief Volunteer Section Makoto Kato, along with Senior Program Officer Lara Javier and Program Officer Lyr Faith L. Paruhinog, outlined the program’s requirements and areas of expertise. These fields include social welfare, health, education, sports, and agriculture, all of which can help strengthen DSWD’s existing programs.

This initiative is a major step toward improving DSWD-NCR’s facilities through international collaboration, knowledge sharing, and volunteer support, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to caring for vulnerable sectors.