With its mandate to protect, promote and preserve the welfare and the right of the vulnerable sectors in the province such as the senior citizens, Persons with Disability (PWD), youth, children, women and other distressed individuals, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) has worked through a range of various programs to address the concerns and challenges faced by these sectors in the year 2023. Through variety of activities, the PSWDO has successfully enhanced access to essential social services, empowering individuals, and families to improve their well-being.
In the year 2023, the PSWDO implemented programs and services under the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) utilizing a budget of PhP 563,457.50. This includes the successful Early Detection, Prevention, and Intervention of Disability (EDPID) training for nursing mothers which led to the awareness and enhancement of intervention strategies related to disability. Concurrently, an ongoing inititative within the mentioned program is centered on extending medical aid to eligible persons or children with disabilities, and this support has already been provided to 29 beneficiaries. Likewise, through support services for Persons with Disability (PWD) project, benefiting a total of 542 individuals, the PSWDO has accomplished activities involving hiring od additional manpower, holding regular meetings and celebrations, supporting special education schools, providing cash incentives for federation officers, and offering a monthly local pension for indigent bedridden individuals.
PSWDO also offered project on protective services for children which provided psychosocial support and awareness of the rights of identified child laborers, strengthened parent-child relationships, and fostered an environment to address community concerns regarding child labor and street-living children. In addition, the PSWDO also focused on their ECCD Program, with a budget of Php 926,110.73 that significantly impacted 17,096 beneficiaries through diverse initiatives. Accomplishments include successful events like the Day Care Workers’ Convention, Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) Social Preparation Orientation, awareness campaigns, provision of incentives to ECCD leaders as well as learning materials and supplies showcasing commitment to curriculum enhancement and holistic child development. Nevertheless, there are few deferred activities including distribution of cash incentives and maternity assistance due to document’s compliance. More so, The PSWDO also took an initiative on the operationalization and functionality of special drug education center, with a Php 10,000,000.00 budget, through the Provincial SDEC that served as a community-based facility for Out-of-School Youth and Street Children, aiming to deliver impactful drug education programs and awareness activities.
Other key accomplishments of the PSWDO also involved the recovery and integration program for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Trafficking in Persons (TIP) which led to the development of an information system, operationalization of the Crisis Center for Women and Children, and implementation of awareness-raising campaign as well as the rehabilitation programs and services for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) and Children At Risk (CAR), featuring the operationalization of Bahay Pag-asa center, educational support for children, installation of solar lights, and organization of inaugural Christmas Party in the center. On the other hand, with regards to the support to functional committee councils project, with an expenditure of Php 501,862.00, the PSWDO achieved milestones in promoting child welfare through activities like capacity-building, PCPC training, quarterly meetings, the success of CFLGA assessments of LGU-Sablayan and LGU-Mamburao, and the conduct of provincial general assembly that advocated against gender-based sexual harassment in schools.
Whereas, under the program for the livelihood support for women, the PSWDO, with an expenditure of Php 5,613,967.28, has empowered women by providing knowledge, enhancing their rights, and promoting self-worth. The project incorporated consultation dialogues with 90 women associations and provided livelihood assistance to 92 women associations across various municipalities in the province. Moreover, the PSWDO’s program to Eliminate Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Violence Against Women (VAWC) paved the way for the enlightenment of 282 individuals on family roles and responsibilities through the Parent Effectiveness Seminar and Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Paternal Abilities (ERPAT) and empowerment of 141 individuals with knowledge and life skills in addressing VAWC through Men Against Violence Everywhere (MOVE) and Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya (KATROPA) activities. The project has also paved the way to increase awareness on School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) through school symposium, orient PGOM employees on relevant laws, foster commitment to end VAWC in the communities and encourage participation of 24 individuals in quarterly PCAT VAWC meetings to prioritize programs for victims of abuse.
Moreover, the PSWDO initiated activities, supporting 5,707 senior citizens, including distribution of cash incentives, celebration of Filipino Elderly Week, honoring SC Provincial Federation Officers, hiring contract services, provision of sustainable livelihood, and organization of regular meetings of the Provincial Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines. On the other context, the project “Tulong Pangkabuhayan Para sa Kaunlaran ng Solong Magulang ng Lalawigan” of PSWDO, with a budget of Php 1,890,433.00 has been designed to empower solo parents by providing knowledge, enhancing their rights, and fostering equal treatment. The project activities encompass organizing solo parent associations, conducting meetings, implementing capacity-building and leadership training in various municipalities, providing livelihood skills training, and supplying livelihood materials, ultimately benefiting 976 solo pare
While, under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) project, the allocation of a budget totaling Php 30,825,740.00 has provided social welfare and assistance to indigent and marginalized individuals and families facing critical conditions. This includes extending financial support to those living below the poverty line, children in need of medication, senior citizens requiring assistance, and persons or children with disabilities seeking support, benefiting a total of 3665 individuals. In addition, the PSWDO also prioritized the project on disaster response and management services project with an expenditure of Php 472,705.00 that catered capacity-building trainings and orientation sessions on Republic Act 10121 and 10821 as well as comprehensive training of barangay quick response teams, implementation of relief operation and disaster management for children in emergencies, and the provision of emergency shelter assistance to internally displaced families. Notably, 14 financial assistance packages were awarded in 2023 demonstrating a proactive response to the assessed needs of the affected community members in the province. Further, the Bahay Pag-asa project carried out by the PSWDO has secured the procurement of essential resources including laptop with CISS printer and the provision of financial assistance to individuals in the community.
Furthermore, the PSWDO also executed project with the budget allocation of Php 737,551.00, focusing on supporting the indigenous communities and former rebels to alleviate multidimensional poverty. Completed activities include the provision of food packs and hygiene kits during various events, livelihood training for former rebels, and the successful organization of the Former Rebel Summit. Quarterly ECLIP meetings and consultations were also conducted to address concerns and provide support to comprehensive rehabilitation and community development.
On top of that, the accomplishment of the PSWDO in 2023 reflected a commitment to address pressing social issues in the province and an advocacy towards a more inclusive society. The cooperative works of the office have resulted to tangible outcomes, positively impacting the lives of the individuals, families, and associations across the province. Regardless of the social status and identities of the citizens, the PSWDO is determined to address the changing needs of the whole community effectively.