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Saturday, October 15, 2005
Social welfare agency partners with village councilors
By Fe L. dela Cruz
IN THE light of strengthening the implementation of devolved social welfare and development services, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has been reaching out to its various partners and stakeholders, specifically the Local Government Units (LGUs).
The DSWD field office 9 had the opportunity to address about 200 barangay councilmen (kagawads) coming from all over Region 9 during the Barangay Councilors League of the Philippines (BCLP) Legislative Enhancement Program held on October 13-15, 2005, at the Grand Astoria Hotel, Zamboanga City.
Aida Magracia, chief of the Technical Assistance Division and who represented Regional Director Parisya Taradji, presented the DSWD's various programs, services and special projects for the purpose of identifying areas of collaboration with the barangay leaders especially along developmental initiatives for the barangays.
In her presentation, Magracia highlighted the DSWD's lead role in social welfare and development (SDW) sector. "Since the implementation of RA 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, it is the LGUs, through the provincial, city and municipal social welfare and development offices, which are at the frontline in the delivery of basic social services to the people. We at the DSWD national are here to provide technical assistance, resource augmentation, as well as to monitor compliance to SWD standards and regulations," Magracia stressed.
Along with the paradigm shift the DSWD has undergone is the concerted effort to also effect changes in the behavior and perspective of the people as to their role in nation building. "We want to erase the 'dole-out' mentality of our people. Through the Department's various community-driven development projects like the KALAHI-CIDSS:KKB, the people are no longer mere beneficiaries, but are considered key players in charting their own destinies. Community people are now considered as 'partners' in the pursuit of the government's development goals."
Citing poverty as a major cause of the complex hard realities in our society today, Magracia said "no single agency can effectively address the problem, hence, enhanced partnership with various sectors is a must." Recognizing the vital role of barangay leaders in the community, she further emphasized, "we need people like you to legislate and firm up social welfare policies and services at the grassroot level and we value you contribution in the transformation and empowerment of the people in the community."
Presented as appropriate areas of collaboration with the barangay legislators are along strengthening of various community structures on preventive, protective and rehabilitative services like the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children, Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council, support to the Day Care Service, Parent Effective Service and the Pag-asa Youth Associations, as well as possible adoption or replication of the Kalahi-Cidss and the Self-Employment Assistance (Sea-K) program technologies at the barangay level.
A shared or a common vision and perspective is a pre-requisite of all partnership endeavors. The ultimate goal of the devolution act is to "bring government, its programs and services closer to the people", hence, the need to strengthen and make devolution works is imperative, towards attainment of our common vision, that is -- "an improved quality of life of the disadvantaged individuals, families and communities."
(October 15, 2005 issue)
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