On 16 October 2024, 18 students pursuing Master's degrees in Social Work and Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the Asian Social Institute deepened their understanding of social welfare and development through a knowledge sharing session that provided orientation on social welfare policy development, planning, and program implementation.
The visits aim to expose students to the DSWD's current directions and priorities under the Marcos Administration. Familiarize students with the planning processes involved in policy development at the national and sectoral levels (NEDA) levels. Educate students on the policy formulation process within the DSWD, including its legislative agenda and relationship with Congress. Introduce students to the program development process for national programs, as implemented, and highlight the DSWD's current priority programs and services, focusing on the use of technology and digitalization in programs such as e-case management.
Asec. Janet P. Armas, Assistant Secretary for Standards Capacity and Building Group led the Orientation on DSWD. In her message, she emphasized the importance and novelty of the DSWD Academy, its role in fulfilling the Department's mandate, and its potential impact on various stakeholders in the social welfare and development sector. An encouragement for everyone to participate in this "innovation," suggesting that the Academy represents a new and progressive approach to social welfare and development training in which they can be part of and be tapped as resource persons in the future.
During the open forum, students were able to ask questions related to DSWD's legislative agenda and its relationship with Congress from the Legislative and Liaison Affairs Office, and about the program development process for national programs from the Social Technology Bureau. This helped them clarify the status of DSWD's crafted legislative agenda and learn about innovations within the Department.
The activity ended with a visit to the office of the Disaster Response Command Center and DSWD conference rooms.