The Department of Social Welfare and Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI) and Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines, Inc. (ALSWADOPI) on 22 April 2022. The partnership aims to both parties to work together more closely towards one common goal which is to improve the delivery of social welfare and enhance the social work profession. This will also aims to establish a pool of learning service providers LSPs) who will help incapacitating the LSWDOs and other intermediaries for effective delivery of social welfare services.
Honorable DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista, PASWI President, Mr. Rosuaro R. Luntayao, and ALSWDOPI President Ms. Marybeth M. Ortiz represented their respective organizations with Usec. Joseline P. Niwane, Ms. Eva Grageda and Ms. Josephine Lopez serving as witnesses to the signing ceremony.
Social workers are the primary key players in influencing the social welfare and development landscape of the Philippines and in making an impact on the lives of many. Armed with both the sciences – taking into account realities, policies, and theories in the provision of evidence-based recommendations and interventions for the betterment of the people – and the arts – valuing the importance of human relationships and interactions – social work practitioners are catalysts of positive change of our country. These partnership is timing as with the upcoming devolution of social services under the Mandanas ruling this partnership will be a crucial component to be able to ensure the continuing advancement of the social work profession since there will be dedicated projects and activities that will capacitate Filipino social workers, especially at the local level. Secretary Bautista said as he expressed the value of social workers and partnership as important component to ensure the continuing advancement of social workers.
Mr. Luntayao also delivered a message He expressed that PASWI is committed to strengthen professional competence of social workers; contribute to solutions to emerging social issues and trends; promote a sense of accountability and responsibility among its leaders and members; and strengthen solidarity among its members and key partners such as DSWD as well as local and global communities.
The National President of ALSWDOPI Ms. Marybeth Ortiz delivered her message highlighting that with the upcoming implementation of the Mandanas Ruling, the DSWD, through the Social Welfare Institutional Development Bureau (SWIDB), will collaborate with ALSWDOPI will work together in crafting Learning Development Interventions (LDIs) for social workers, and in providing technical assistance to support and promote development programs and projects to local government units (LGUs).