THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has welcomed the signing of Executive Order (EO) No. 138.

EO 138 is also known as the “Full Devolution of Certain Functions of the Executive Branch to Local Governments, Creation of a Committee on Devolution, and for other purposes.”

Under EO 138, some of the functions, services, and facilities of national government agencies related to local infrastructures, health care, livelihood, agriculture, and social welfare, among others, will be transferred to local government units (LGUs), with accompanying budget allotment.

The DSWD believes that the devolution of social welfare and development (SWD) services to LGUs will translate to their closer, more efficient, and accountable delivery, especially to those in need of immediate assistance.

DSWD is hopeful that the Committee on Devolution will be able to issue the rules and regulations within the 30-day timeframe stipulated in the EO.

The DSWD will focus more on its steering role and assures the public that it will continue to work closely with LGUs. This includes capacitating them and providing technical assistance and resource augmentation to ensure that the devolved SWD services will be effectively and sustainably implemented.