The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is pleased with the results of the Social Weather Stations’ (SWS) Fourth Quarter of 2024 survey, showing 59 percent of adult Filipinos are satisfied with the general performance of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Based on the SWS report, Helping victims of disasters got +65 in December 2024 (Up by 3 points from +62 in September 2024); Improving the quality of children’s education got +60 in December 2024 (Unchanged since September 2024) Helping the poor got +57 in December 2024 (Up by 6 points from +51 in September 2024).
The current administration was also rated ‘good” in ‘ensuring food security with a net of +46; Preparing for problems being caused by climate change (+38), and Telling the truth to the people (+34).
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) attributed the favorable approval rating to the whole-of-nation approach of the Marcos administration.
“As the lead agency in social protection, the DSWD expressed its commitment to enhancing the implementation of social protection programs to better serve the disadvantaged and marginalized Filipinos,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, said on Sunday (February 2).
Disaster preparedness and response
For disaster preparedness and response, the DSWD spokesperson noted that initiatives like the Buong Bansa Handa (BBH) program have enabled the DSWD to promptly meet the needs of disaster-stricken families.
The BBH employs two parallel supply chain mechanisms for disaster preparedness and response. The first one features a national and local government-driven supply chain, while the second supply chain forges partnerships with established large and small groceries, supermarkets, manufacturers, and distributors to leverage on their technical expertise and resources to create a private sector-driven supply chain.
“We also have a Disaster Response Command Center (DRCC), Mobile Command Centers (MCCs), and mobile kitchens—all part of the innovations of the DSWD, in collaboration with other government agencies, to improve our disaster response,” the DRMG official pointed out.
Helping the poor, in crisis individuals
Mandated to provide social protection to the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged sector, and invest in human capital development, Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the DSWD continues to enhance the existing programs and services of the agency.
“For the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), we are adding the First 1,000 Days (F1KD) grant that aims to cover essential health and nutrition expenses during this critical period of a child’s life. It aims to provide monthly health grants worth Php350 to female 4Ps beneficiaries who are pregnant and households that have children from 0 to 2 years old,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
“We are also continuously implementing the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), and the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS),” Asst. Secretary Dumlao added.
Ensuring food security
In collaboration with various government and private sector organizations, the DSWD’s Walang Gutom Program continues to ensure food security and bring down the incidence of involuntary hunger experienced by Filipinos from low-income households.
In December 2024, the agency launched the Walang Gutom Kitchen, also one of the latest innovations of the DSWD, which aims to address involuntary hunger and reduce food wastage by turning donated surplus food from hotels, restaurants, and organizations into hot meals for individuals experiencing hunger.
“None of these programs will be possible without the help of our partners from the government and private sector,” the agency official emphasized.
Mitigating impacts of climate change
Designed to maintain agricultural productivity during dry periods and manage excess water during periods of heavy rainfall associated with the La Niña, the DSWD implements the Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) at BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture (DA), University of the Philippines – Los Baños (UPLB), and the United Nations World Food Programme (UN-WFP).
Project LAWA at BINHI focuses on mitigating the impact of food insecurity and water scarcity caused by the El Niño while preparing for the potential effects of the rainy season.
Taking part in improving quality of education
In partnership with the Department of Education, the DSWD continues to expand the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program nationwide.
Launched in 2023 and declared as one of the flagship programs of the national government through Executive Order 76 in November 2024, the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program assists incoming Grade 2 students who are struggling or non-readers.
The program also increases the involvement of poor college students enrolled in state or local universities and colleges in nation-building, while helping them in completing their tertiary education through cash-for-work (CFW).
Telling the truth to the people
As the primary agency mandated to provide social protection services to the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized sector, the DSWD recognizes the need for transparency and accountability to the Filipino people.
Under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the agency produces four regular live stream programs namely, the Kwento ng Pag-asa at Pagbabago (KPAP), 4Ps Fast Break, DSWD Thursday Media Forum, and DSWD Weekend Report Live.
All programs give timely news and updates regarding the Department’s programs and services, feature success stories, and answer live comments from stakeholders and beneficiaries.
“Again, we thank the Filipino people for their trust in the government. Rest assured that the positive ratings will serve as an inspiration for the whole DSWD to contribute to the overall success of the Marcos administration and to provide quality, efficient, and inclusive programs and services under the leadership of Secretary Gatchalian,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said. (YADP)
