Following his appointment as the new head of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Secretary Rex Gatchalian met with the undersecretaries of the Agency on his first day, on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 where he was briefed on the operations of the Department as well as on the programs and services being implemented.

As the new Secretary of the Department, he also initially laid out his major priorities that he wants to focus on such as the digitalization of the systems, processes, and programs and services of the DSWD. He also mentioned his plan on cleansing the database of beneficiaries to ensure that deserving and eligible families and individuals will be served.

Furthermore, Secretary Gatchalian also plans to set up logistics networks and additional warehouses for relief goods and family food packs in strategic locations in the country that are closer to the people, to provide immediate and prompt assistance to the families that will be affected by disasters and calamities. This, he said, is also in line with the directive of the Chief Executive, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

His first order of the day was to do away with formalities and to make things happen in a timely manner.

To allay the fears of personnel, Secretary Gatchalian gave his assurance that the existing structure will remain, emphasizing that he is willing to work with the present workforce of the Department.

Meanwhile, briefing sessions on the functions and key results areas of the different offices, bureaus, services and units (OBSUs), as well as the different Field Offices of the Department will continue in the days ahead.  The new Secretary will also make the rounds of the OBSUs, meet with the staff, and familiarize himself within the DSWD premises. He is also set to meet the Regional Directors of the Department next week.

Secretary Gatchalian was appointed by President Marcos, Jr. and took his oath of office on January 31, 2023.

The entire DSWD workforce has expressed their full support to the new Secretary. ###