According to Pope Francis, New Year’s Day marks two important observances on the Catholic Calendar: One is the World day of Peace, established by blessed Pope Paul Vi in 1967, and the other is the great feat of Mary as the Mother of God.

He emphasized, “Mary is exactly what God wants us to be, what he wants his Church to be: a Mother who is tender and lowly, poor in material goods and rich in love, free of sin and united to Jesus, keeping God in our hearts and our neighbor in our lives,” he said.

My dearest colleagues, as public servants who have great mission to help and protect the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged and promote their overall well-being, let us reflect on the message of our Pope and let this be our guide for this fresh new year.

Let us have a mother’s heart — welcome 2018!

Looking Back to Year 2017

A new year brings new expectations, goals and hopes, and with this I know that everyone of us has great anticipation as to what will come in the year ahead us.

But before that, let us look back on the journey that we have traversed last year.

Our voyages were not smooth sailing — humongous waves and unexpected events have dared us from time to time.

As we all know, captain of our ship has changed in the middle of our expedition. Judy Taguiwalo was not confirmed which tested the stability of the whole department. Also, various issues such ‘shame list’ which divulged the unliquidated funds of Supplementary Feeding Program, fake rice of Pantawid Pamilya, delayed cash grants of Emergency Shelter Assistance etc. have continuously shaken our peace and amity.

Also, before the year ends, Typhoon Urduja and Vinta during holidays also triggered our beneficiaries in MIMAROPA which tested our Quick Response Team and our Disaster Management Unit.

But despite the challenges that we have encountered, we remained resilient and bounced back from all the rollers and breakers which hit us so hard.

And with this, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all of you.

I know all of your sacrifices: the extra hours you spent in the office for free; the sleepless nights you’ve experienced just to beat the deadline; and the weekends and holidays you’ve missed in order to ensure that the needs of our clients were provided.

Without your hard work, cooperation, passion and commitment to serve our partner-beneficiaries, and most of all without imbibing a mother’s heart, we will not be able to reach our destination.

With this, I am proud to share with you the gigantic fish we’ve harvested and captured due to our diligence and convergence — internally and externally with our partner-stakeholders.

Once again, let me present to you the awards we received last year:

• Sustainable Livelihood Program
  • Bangon Kabuhayan 2017 Hall of Famer
    • MANHAK Blue Crab Fattening of Looc Romblon:

Champion, Micro-enterprise category

• Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
  • National Exemplary Child 2017
    • Grade 8 student Jecille Arah M. Costales, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program-MIMAROPA child grantee from Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro was selected as this year’s grand winner of the National Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children 2017.
  • Gawad Paglilingkod sa Samabayanan (GAPAS) Award
    • Model LGU Implementing Day Care Services:

Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro

• Model LGU Implementing KALAHI-CIDSS:

Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro

• Model LGU Implementing Protective Program and Services:

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

• LGU Implementing Outstanding Sustainable Micro-enterprise Development Model:

Taytay, Palawan

• Gawad Kalasag
  • DSWD MIMAROPA received the Gawad Kalasag for rendering exemplary contributions in promoting and implementing significant DRRM-Climate Change Adaptation programs and innovations that build community resiliency.

Congratulations to all of you. You deserve all the praise and recognition for bringing our region in the limelight and center stage of public servants.

Great Expectations and Hopes for 2018

Now, let us confidently move forward while carrying the lessons of the past. I know that this year, like every one, will still bring hurdles and impediments. But I know that we will face these obstacles with grit and fervor so we will overcome it with ease.

For 2018, I have steadfast hopes for our partner-beneficiaries, that they will have a better life, free from poverty and hunger. And for all of you my dearest colleagues, I have unwavering hope, that you will keep sailing in order to serve, support and love them unconditionally.

Again, just like what Pope Francis said, “let us all continue having a mother’s heart, one which knows how to keep the tender love of God and to feel the heartbeat of all around us.”

Again, may you have a prosperous new year filled with all good blessings. Happy New Year!