The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to conduct a Partnership Forum  on Thursday (December 5) at the Space at One Ayala in Makati City to expand the agency’s network of partners and link local social welfare organizations (SWOs) to international development partners in order to enhance their capacity to serve the poor and vulnerable communities.

With the theme “Moving Policy into Action”, the event aims to introduce foundations, private organizations, and other partners of the DSWD in providing social welfare initiatives with international development partners for possible
co-implementation of programs and services.

“The DSWD highly recognizes the contributions of our local partners that complement our mission in formulating policies and implementing social welfare and development programs for and with the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged,” Assistant Secretary for Partnerships Building and Resource Mobilization Ana Maria Paz Rafael said.

The DSWD official said the forum will serve as a platform for local organizations to present their programs and explore potential partnerships with international partners and existing programs of the DSWD.

Asst. Secretary Rafael said part of the event are breakout sessions focusing on social protection; child protection; and some of the agency’s programs such as the Panahon ng Pagkilos, Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) at BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished); and the Walang Gutom Program (WGP).

These breakout sessions, which will involve DSWD officials, private organizations, international partners, and government agencies, is aimed at fostering multi-sectoral collaboration.

“The sessions are also designed to discuss innovative strategies that can enhance social welfare programs and develop sustainable solutions to address issues like poverty, hunger, and other systemic challenges,” Asst. Secretary Rafael said.

As part of the activity, the DSWD, in partnership with the Ayala Foundation, will launch the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) THRIVE, a Photo Story Book showcasing success stories of the household-beneficiaries.

The Australian government, through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in collaboration with the DSWD and other government agencies will also unveil the Social Protection, Inclusion and Gender Equality (SPRING) initiative.

The SPRING is a 5-year investment focusing on strengthening the Philippines’ own systems and structures on social protection and gender mainstreaming and supporting disability and Indigenous equity and rights.

Some of the development partners and stakeholders that will be attending the 2024 Partnership Forum are officials and representatives of the Australian Embassy to the Philippines; Ayala Foundation; World Bank, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and French Development Agency (FDA), among others.# (YADP)