THE first Social Services Conference and Expo (SocSeCon) was held over the weekend to mark the 12th anniversary of the Philippines’ first and only regional free TV station, Central Luzon TV36 (CLTV36).

CLTV36 partnered with Area-Based Standards Network (ABSNet), the Widus Foundation, and Robinsons Starmills to organize the SocSeCon 2019, which was described as the first of its kind as it brought together non-government organizations, charity groups, foundations, and other stakeholders in the social services sector.

Billy San Juan, CLTV36 vice president and deputy general manager, said the network’s hosting of the first SocSeCon is its way of giving back to the community that has supported them in their journey of providing quality news and entertainment to the region for the past 12 years.

“Our objective is to celebrate our 12th anniversary more meaningfully than our past celebrations. For the past years, we focused on entertainment and reality competitions but for this year, we wanted to be more attuned to the needs of the social sector,” San Juan said.

Various sector leaders and practitioners presented some of the implemented and integrated social services models on topics spanning children’s health, information, entrepreneurship, disaster resiliency, environment, and many more.

Several talks and forums about climate change and environmental preservation, social entrepreneurship, women and children protection and fake news were held to raise awareness among the constituents.

Partner-organizations also put up booths and shops during the whole-day SocSeCon held at the Robinsons Starmills, wherein proceeds from the merchandise sold will go directly to their respective foundations’ beneficiaries.

“There have been many conferences and expos that enjoin different sectors, but none on the social services sector so CLTV36 organized this SocSeCon so concerned organizations and groups can come together and learn from each other,” San Juan said.

CLTV36 and its partners also aim to improve interconnectivity within the sector as well as inspire young participants to become the new generation of social workers and innovators.

CLTV36 may be viewed through free-to-air TV on channel 36, Cignal channel 115, and through its streaming apps on iOS and Android.