The DSWD Academy successfully conducted the Dialogue with Social Work Students on 2 September 2025, at the Crown Legacy Hotel in Baguio City, which gathered a total of 295 Social Work students, attending onsite and via Zoom. The students came from three academic institutions from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) – King’s College of the Philippines, Saint Louis University and Cordillera College. This activity was conducted to provide opportunity to the Social Work students to appreciate the value of Social Work and its roles in various settings of practice to guide them in choosing future work engagement.
The event forms part of the Department’s broader commitment to supporting and capacitating its partners and intermediaries, including academic institutions, local government units, NGOs, and other stakeholders. This initiative is aligned with the Hanoi Declaration on promoting and strengthening Social Work across ASEAN Countries.
In his inspirational message, DSWD Secretary Rex T. Gatchalian, emphasized the importance of cultivating a new generation of social workers who are not only professionally competent, but also deeply committed to serving the vulnerable and marginalized sectors of society.
The Dialogue with Social Work Students provided an enriching exchange of insights through the discussions of esteemed resource speakers who shared their expertise and experiences in different fields of social work practice.
Hon. Evangeline M. Guinto, Chairperson of the Professional Regulatory Board for Social Workers, opened the dialogue by presenting updates on the social work profession. Her discussion highlighted historical milestones, challenges, and opportunities in strengthening the practice and regulation of social work in the country.
This was followed by Assistant Secretary Janet P. Armas of the Regulatory Services and Institutional Development Group of DSWD. She highlighted the vital roles social workers play within the DSWD. She emphasized their contribution to policy development, program implementation, and direct service delivery.
On the practice of Social Work in the court setting, Mr. Jefran P. Olingay, President of the Philippine Association for Court Social Workers, Inc. (PACSWI), tackled the crucial function of social workers in the judicial processes. He underscored their role in providing assessments, interventions, and recommendations that safeguard the rights and welfare of children, families, and other vulnerable sectors.
In the field of medical social work, Ms. Ma. Lourdes Fatima J. Layug, Vice-President of the Association of Medical Social Workers of the Philippines, Inc., discussed the integral services provided to patients and families in hospitals and other health institutions. Her talk highlighted the balance between addressing psychosocial needs and supporting medical treatment plans.
The role of social workers in local government units (LGUs) was presented by Ms. Coralie Dulnuan, Administrative Officer V of the City Social Welfare and Development Office of Baguio City. She explained the frontline functions of LGU social workers in community-based programs and services, ensuring that social protection reaches the grassroots.
Mr. Cleo Angelo DF. Guevarra, Stakeholder Engagement Manager of Sustainability and Development Section of the International Container Terminal Services, Inc., and Board Treasurer of the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI), further broadened the perspective by sharing insights on the roles of social workers in the industrial setting. He described their contributions in promoting employee well-being, workplace harmony, and corporate social responsibility.
On the area of field placement of Social Work students, Ms. Chehran Mae R. Millan of the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) of DSWD Field Office CAR discussed the processes, challenges, and issues faced during field instruction, which resonated strongly with the participants who are preparing for their professional journey.
Complementing this, Mr. John L. Paredes, Social Work Faculty and Field Instruction Coordinator at Saint Louis University tackled the structural, institutional, and instructional challenges faced in field instruction, such as limited placement opportunities, high supervision workloads, and curriculum constraints. He also recommended policy and program reforms on field instruction to cover emerging areas of practice and institutionalizing stronger support systems for both supervisors and students.
Adding further depth to the dialogue, three student representatives also shared their reflections and insights. Ms. Danielle Austine Denise E. Caasi, a first-year student from Cordillera Career and Development College, spoke about her early experiences in social work education and the challenges of adapting to the demands of the course. Mr. Jorge Jacob D. Jacobe, a first-year student from King’s College of the Philippines, emphasized the importance of having a clear goal, doing what is right, and being an agent of change. He urged fellow students to always stand up for what is right as a foundation for professional integrity. Meanwhile, Mr. Ken James A. Lucio, a third-year student from Saint Louis University, raised the need to increase the salary and compensation of social workers. He encouraged his peers to establish and uphold the image of social work in the country, stressing that this effort must begin with each and everyone’s commitment and self-discipline.
These discussions provided a comprehensive picture of social work practice across various fields—policy, judiciary, health, local governance, industry, and education. The perspectives of the resource persons, field and school supervisors and the students enriched the dialogue and reinforced the importance of bridging academic learning with real-world application, truly embodying the event’s theme.