In celebration of Filipino Social Workers’ Month this June, recognized under Proclamation No. 1176, series of 2021, Filipinos honor the vital role of social workers in nation-building. At the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD FO-NCR), one social worker stands out not just for her service, but for the lives she’s helped transform.
Arlene M. Esteban, a registered social worker at the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC), has made it her mission to help children find what every child deserves: a permanent, loving home. For almost two years, Ms. Esteban has been guiding children through the delicate journey of adoption, balancing both heart and expertise in each case she handles.
Her work goes beyond the routine. From conducting home visits and counseling sessions to preparing legal documents like the Certification Declaring a Child Legally Available for Adoption (CDCLAA), Ms. Esteban ensures every step of the adoption process is done with care, compassion, and integrity.
“Every child deserves a family where they feel safe, loved, and can truly flourish,” she often says – a principle that shapes her approach with every child and adoptive family she meets. Known for her gentle demeanor and strong rapport with children, Ms. Esteban has earned the respect of colleagues and the gratitude of families whose lives she has touched.
Before joining RSCC in August 2023, she spent four years at DSWD’s Adoption Resource and Referral Section. Her journey with the agency began in 1999 as an administrative staff, eventually becoming a full-fledged social worker, proof of her deep commitment to public service and child welfare.
Through her work, countless children, some adopted across oceans, now have a chance at brighter futures. Joyful reunions, handwritten letters from adoptive parents, and smiling faces in family photos are lasting reminders of the lives she’s helped change.
More than a social worker, Ms. Esteban is a steadfast advocate for children and a quiet force behind every successful adoption story at RSCC. Her work embodies the mission of DSWD: to protect, nurture, and uplift the most vulnerable members of our society.
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