Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu sign the subsidiary agreement for the implementation of the Social Protection, Inclusion, and Gender Equality (SPRING) Program during the 2024 DSWD Partnership Forum at the Space at One Ayala in Makati on Thursday (December 5).

The SPRING is a 5-year, Php1.5 billion investment of the Australian government, through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), focusing on strengthening the Philippines’ own systems and structures on social protection and gender mainstreaming as well as supporting disability and Indigenous equity and rights.

The newly-launched program is in partnership with the DSWD and other Philippine government agencies.

The Partnership Forum was attended by officials and representatives of development partners such as the Australian Embassy to the Philippines; Ayala Foundation; World Bank, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and French Development Agency (FDA), as well as from various government agencies.

The members of the DSWD executive and management committees were also present at the event. (YADP)