Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu led the launching of the Social Protection, Inclusion, and Gender Equality (SPRING) Program during the 2024 DSWD Partnership Forum at the Space at One Ayala in Makati City on Thursday (December 5).
The SPRING is an initiative of the Australian government, through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), in partnership with the DSWD and other government agencies.
It is a 5-year, Php1.5 billion investment that will focus on strengthening the Philippines’ own systems and structures on social protection and gender mainstreaming and supporting disability and indigenous equity and rights.
“Social welfare is more glamorous, it is more sexy because the gratification is instant so to speak. The development side of the Department tends to be the more unglamorous side of it because it is a very long game to get people out of poverty. But programs like SPRING actually make it into reality. It speeds things up,” Secretary Gatchalian said in his message.
The DSWD chief recognized the efforts of the agency and its partners to ensure that policies are not only developed but are implemented in ways that are context-specific, sustainable, and most importantly, impactful as exemplified by the SPRING program.
Through the SPRING Secretary Gatchalian said DSWD personnel will be infused with technical skills that are necessary in uplifting the lives of the poor.
“It combines what we already have—-the heart—-and it adds the technical skills to it,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.
In his message, Ambassador HK Yu said the Australian government is “extremely proud as the longest standing bilateral partner to DSWD to be able to launch yet another impressive new investment program.”
“I can’t wait to see this being integrated by our wonderful partners—the DSWD and many other agencies that are promoting gender equality and social inclusion,” Ambassador HK Yu said.
In the same event, Secretary Gatchalian, together with Ayala Foundation Trustee and President Tony Lambino, also launched the “THRIVE”, a photo storybook showcasing portraits and stories of 17 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) “Huwarang Pamilya” beneficiaries from the different regions nationwide.
“Each of the families featured in the book shared compelling stories of how they overcame social, economic, and personal challenges and how they took full advantage of the opportunities 4Ps offered them,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
Ayala Foundation President Lambino expressed his gratitude to the DSWD and its personnel, describing them as “large-hearted social workers”.
“We are grateful to Secretary Rex Gatchalian and the DSWD team for the opportunity to help tell this inspiring 4Ps stories from the combined perspectives of the participatory families themselves, large-hearted social workers, both from the DSWD and the local government units,” the Ayala Foundation executive said in his message. # (YADP)
Tagalog Version
SPRING Program para sa social protection at gender equality, inilunsad ng DSWD, Australian gov’t
Pinangunahan nina Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian at Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu ang paglulunsad ng Social Protection, Inclusion, and Gender Equality (SPRING) Program, sa ginanap na 2024 DSWD Partnership Forum sa Space at One Ayala, Makati City nitong Huwebes (December 5).
Ang SPRING ay inisyatibo ng Australian government, sa pamamagitan ng Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), at sa pakikipagtulungan na rin ng DSWD at iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno.
Ang SPRING ay isang 5-year program na may Php1.5 billion investment at nakapokus para sa pagpapalakas ng social protection and gender mainstreaming, kabilang na ang pagpapalawak ng pantay-pantay na karapatan.
Sa kanyang mensahe, sinabi ni DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, “Social welfare is more glamorous, it is more sexy because the gratification is instant so to speak. The development side of the Department tends to be the more unglamorous side of it because it is a very long game to get people out of poverty. But programs like SPRING actually make it into reality. It speeds things up.”
Dagdag pa niya, “It combines what we already have—-the heart—-and it adds the technical skills to it.”
Sa mensahe naman ni Ambassador HK Yu sinabi nitong ang Australian government ay tunay na ipinagmamalaki ang matagal ng relasyon nila sa DSWD bilang magkatulong sa ibat-ibang programa ng ahensya.
“I can’t wait to see this being integrated by our wonderful partners—the DSWD and many other agencies that are promoting gender equality and social inclusion,” sabi ni Ambassador HK Yu.
Kasabay nito, inilunsad din ng DSWD at Ayala Foundation Trustee ang “THRIVE”, isang photo storybook na nagpapakita ng mga success stories ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) “Huwarang Pamilya” beneficiaries mula sa ibat ibang rehiyon sa bansa.
“Each of the families featured in the book shared compelling stories of how they overcame social, economic, and personal challenges and how they took full advantage of the opportunities 4Ps offered them,” sabi ni Secretary Gatchalian.
Nagpahayag naman ng pasasalamat si Ayala Foundation President Tony sa DSWD at mga personnel ng ahensya sa pamamagitan ng pagsasalarawan dito bilang “large-hearted social workers”.
“We are grateful to Secretary Rex Gatchalian and the DSWD team for the opportunity to help tell this inspiring 4Ps stories from the combined perspectives of the participatory families themselves, large-hearted social workers, both from the DSWD and the local government units,” sabi ng Ayala Foundation executive. # (MVC)
