The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) forged a partnership with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) for an on-the-job training program for Industrial Engineering (IE) students who will conduct a time and motion study (TMS) on the agency’s processes.
DSWD Undersecretary for Policy and Plans Atty. Adonis Sulit described the partnership as a “symbiotic relationship” wherein the Department will try to further improve its services while
teaching PUP industrial engineering students on the practical side of their theoretical knowledge.
“In a sense, we are helping the students understand how the government works and how the government could work for the people… On behalf of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, his directive to the team is always, to improve our processes, to streamline the steps, and eventually to automate, to digitalize,” Usec. Sulit, who is also vice chair of the Committee on Anti-Red Tape (CART), said in his message during the ceremonial signing of a Pledge of Commitment between the DSWD and PUP last July.
The IE students will conduct the TMS on selected DSWD processes and services, providing them with practical experience and helping the DSWD identify and address inefficiencies.
The TMS will be led by the DSWD’s Policy Development and Planning Bureau (PDPB) and will run from August to September 2024.
The collaboration between the DSWD and PUP aims to improve service delivery and enhance operational efficiency while equipping students with skills relevant to public service careers.
The initiative supports Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
The law mandates government agencies to streamline their processes through regular cost compliance analyses and time and motion studies to reduce bureaucratic red tape and processing times.
Dr. Philip Preconcillo Ermita and Engr. Arvin Jay Austria, representing the Chairperson of PUP’s Department of Industrial Engineering, attended the event via online videoconferencing.
“This is part of the outcome that we want in the field of IE, to have any processes or systems maximized, specifically on the service industry, the manpower & resources… With this activity and project with the DSWD, this is a medium for us on how we can further explore our field of discipline… This is most probably a start of a continuous support of PUP to DSWD, looking forward to the success of this event,” Dr. Ermita said in his message.
The ceremonial event was witnessed by members of the DSWD Committee on Anti-Red Tape (CART) and the Anti-Red Tape Unit (ARTU) Heads and Focal Persons including Regional Director Ramel Jamen of Field Office10 – Northern Mindanao; Asst. Regional Director for Administration (ARDA) Clarito Logronio of Field Office 8 – Eastern Visayas; ARDA Tristan Telen of Field Office – Caraga; ARDA Merlinda Paragamac of Field Office 11 – Davao Region; and Asst. Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Ma. Socorro Macaso of Field Office 9 – Zamboanga Peninsula.
Undersecretary Gerald Divinagracia, the Deputy Director General for Operations of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), also attended the ceremony. #
