On October 23, 2019, the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) conducted an Information Caravan at the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) Special Caravan entitled, “#PCUPatyourService: Pinagsama-samang Serbisyo Para sa Tao!” at Remarville Covered Court, Barangay Bagbag, Quezon City.

Information Officers from the Social Marketing Office of DSWD-NCR as well as representatives from various units of the Department disseminated information and education campaign materials. Concerns and inquiries of the participants were also addressed and properly attended to through one-on-one consultations.

PCUP spearheaded this Special Caravan in order to serve as a one-stop orientation shop of pro-poor services on health, education, employment, and legal advices that the urban poor community may avail. Government and non-government services were discussed to engage the community towards better opportunities. In this pursuit, DSWD-NCR was able to advocate some of its promotive and protective programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the Sustainable Livelihood Program, the Social Pension Program, the Unconditional Cash Transfer, the assistance to Solo Parents, and the services of its Centers and Residential Care Facilities.

Around 2,000 participants attended the event along with different National Government Agencies such as the Philippine Statistics Authority, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Public Attorney’s Office, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Land Transportation Office, among others. Booths that offer on-the-spot services such as massage, haircut, licensing, vehicle registration, and job fair were also provided in the caravan. ###

On October 17, 2019, Marillac Hills conducted various activities to commemorate the United Nations or the union of different countries after the World War. This year’s theme is “International Year of Indigenous Languages” which aims to promote the usage and appreciation of different languages of all nations.

Flag making contest, essay writing contest, slogan-making, and other activities were held as part of the celebration. The highlight of the event was the search for Ms. United Nations wherein selected students from different grade levels showcased their talents and charms onstage as they represent different countries of the UN.

The search for Ms. United Nations 2019 started with an invocation led by Jose Fabella Memorial School, followed by opening remarks from Ms. Lina Emata, Social Welfare Officer of Marillac Hills.

The candidates also performed an opening number wherein they danced to the folk songs of the countries they are representing.

All the candidates showed their best poise and elegance for the Ms. UN pageant. Rising above all the contestants was Miss Philippines who won the Ms. United Nations title.

Marillac Hills is a residential care facility of DSWD NCR which caters to girls ages 7- 17 years old, who are victims of abuse. ###

On October 17, 2019, ten (10) candidates from Miss Earth Pageant conducted their annual charity visit at Nayon ng Kabataan. The candidates shared food, played with the residents, and promoted their 5Rs Advocacy (Rethink, Reuse, Recycle, Reduce, and Respect) to all the participants.

Miss Earth’s advocacy is to promote environmental awareness. With this, the institution became a regular donor that conducts outreach programs for NK’s residents, as their activities complement the services provided by the Center in relation to the promotion of programs that focus on the best interest of children.

Miss Air Philippines 2019 and Miss Water Philippines 2019 hosted the said outreach programs. Together with the other candidates, they reminded the children of Nayon ng Kabataan to follow their advocacy and to take good care of Mother Nature.

Nayon ng Kabataan provides programs and psycho-social services and interventions to children in need of special protection, ages seven (7) to eighteen (18) years old. It is located at Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City. ###

Strengthening the Department’s efforts to provide better services for the vulnerable sectors in Metro Manila, the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) is continuously upgrading its Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCFs) through construction and rehabilitation of buildings, rooms, kitchens, and dormitories, among others.

DSWD-NCR manages 12 Centers and Residential Care Facilities all throughout Metro Manila, namely, Elsie Gaches Village, Golden Reception and Action Center for the Elderly and other Special Cases (GRACES),  Haven – National Center for Women, Haven for Children, Inang Nangulila sa Anak or INA Healing Center, Jose Fabella Center, Marillac Hills, National Vocational Rehabilitation Center, Nayon ng Kabataan, Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC), Rehabilitation Sheltered Workshop (RSW), and Sanctuary Center.

The improvement of the said facilities, which are already in various stages, is funded through the P310 million fund allocation of the Field Office under the Department’s CRCF Project.

The CRCF project, which has an allocation of P2.3 billion, aims to provide better welfare services to marginalized and disadvantaged individuals, groups, and families through the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of the DSWD’s centers and facilities. -30-

OKTUBRE 16, 2019 – Inilunsad ngayon ang Sama Bajau Activity Center sa San Dionisio Gymnasium, Parañaque City, sa pangunguna ng DSWD-NCR at pakikipagtulungan ng Cartwheel Foundation, Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation, at ng Lungsod ng Parañaque.

Ang pagtayo ng Sama Bajau Activity Center ay ginawa sa layuning mapabuti ang kalagayan ng mga Indigenous People na nasa Lungsod. Sa pamamagitan nito, sila ay maihahanda sa pormal na pag-aaral at pagkakaroon ng hanap-buhay. Tuturuan sila ng mga paraan upang kumita ng pera at makasabay sa pamumuhay ng mga mamamayan sa lungsod. Ang mga programa ng DSWD-NCR tulad ng Sustainable Livelihood Program at Cash-for-Work Program ay makakapagbigay rin ng tulong sa kanila.

“Instrumento lamang po kami upang kayo ay matulungan. Kayo po ang sentro ng programang ito. Kailangan po namin ang inyong pakikipagtulungan upang maging matagumpay po ang ating programa.” ani Bb. Ilene Lotino, tagapamahala ng Special Projects Section ng DSWD-NCR, sa kanyang mensahe para sa mga Sama Bajau.

Dumalo rin ang ilang mga opisyal sa aktibidad na ito upang magpakita ng suporta. Kabilang sa mga opisyal ay sina Kagawad Raymond Arceo, Kagawad Shannin Mae Olivarez, Konsehal Vandolph Quizon, at Kongresista Eric L. Olivarez ng Parañaque City.

Maaaring pumunta at makipag ugnayan sa Brgy. San Dionisio, Parañaque City ang mga Sama Bajau na nais maging bahagi ng programa. Ang Activity Center ay bukas mula Lunes hanggang Sabado.

Ang Sama Bajau Activity Center ay tumatanggap din ng volunteers na nagnanais makatulong sa mga Indigenous People. Maaaring makipag ugnayan sa DSWD-NCR Special Projects Section sa numerong 734-8623 ang mga nagnanais tumulong. ###

On October 11, 2019, The Program Management Bureau of DSWD-Central Office, led by Assistant Secretary for Statutory Programs Glenda Relova, conducted a Workshop on Minors Travelling Abroad (MTA) Online System at Punta De Fabian, Baras, Rizal.

The workshop was participated by staff of DSWD-NCR’s Minors Travelling Abroad Section, Bureau of Immigration, and Cloud Panda, a company that specializes in making customized websites, software, and mobile application to companies of various industries. Cloud Panda donated their website interface creation services to DSWD for the MTA Online System.

Said workshop aims to assess the pilot implementation of the e-Services or Online System for the application of travel clearance, to be able to enhance the system for nationwide deployment. With this, DSWD-NCR shared their experience and inputs on the MTA e-Services. Moreover, soft-launching of the MTA e-Services is expected before the end of the last semester of this year.

A travel clearance for minors travelling abroad is a document issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Offices for persons below 18 years old travelling abroad unaccompanied or accompanied by persons other than their parents, pursuant to the provisions of RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children against abuse, trafficking, exploitation and discrimination.###

On October 6, 2019, the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR), together with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), welcomed 158 repatriated Overseas Filipinos (OFs) at Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Parañaque City.

The Department offered psychosocial interventions to said repatriated distressed OFs such as social integration services and counseling services, as well as financial assistance to ease their crisis situations.

Present in the activity to show their support are DSWD Assistant Secretary Glenda Relova and DSWD-NCR Regional Director Vicente Gregorio B. Tomas. “Nandito po kaming lahat para sa inyo. Nais po naming ipakita na ito ang nagtatrabahong gobyerno, sama-sama para tulungan kayo,” Assistant Secretary Relova said in her inspirational message for the OFs.

Assistance to repatriated Overseas Filipinos is part of DSWD’s mandate to provide social services to distressed OFs in foreign countries, most especially those who are undocumented, pursuant to the provisions of R.A. No. 10364, otherwise known as “The Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.”

DSWD is a member of the Joint Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons, together with other government agencies such as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Bureau of Immigration, and the Department of Health. It requires DSWD personnel to meet the repatriated trafficked persons upon their arrival to the Philippines, to provide immediate protection and assistance.

Human trafficking may be reported through hotline 1343 for Metro Manila areas or +632 (1343) for outside Metro Manila or the Philippines. ###

On October 2, 2019, the Jose Fabella Memorial School – Haven for Children officially opened the celebration of the annual United Nations (UN), with the theme, “International year of Indigenous Languages” through an opening parade of handmade flags of UN countries.

Staff and residents participated in various activities of the Center such as poster making contest, quiz bee, and film viewing which tackled topics about Indigenous People and various international native cultures.

The culminating activity was held on October 18, 2019, same as the awarding of winners for the Mr. and Ms. United Nations. Selected residents also showcased their talents through singing, dancing, and costume-making.

This month-long activity helped the children develop their communication skills, cooperation, collaboration, and their ability to become a team-player.

Haven for Children is a residential care facility that caters to former street children for their healing and recovery.