The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office MIMAROPA, through the Protective Services Division (PSD), capacitated 65 social workers from the Province of Palawan through the conduct of the Capacity Building on the Implementation of Community-Based Programs at Sun Star Grand Hotel, Quiapo, Manila  from November 14-17, 2022.

Facilitated by the Community Based Section of the PSD, there were discussions on some of the community-based programs and mechanisms that are being implemented by the DSWD and the Local Government Units (LGUs). These included the Unlad Kabataan Program (UKP), the Strategic Helpdesks for Information, Education, Livelihood and Other Developmental Services (SHIELD), the Local Committees on Anti-Trafficking and VAWC (LCAT-VAWC) and the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP).

The activity also tackled the services being offered by the International Social Services Office (ISSO), as well as pertinent laws such as the Solo Parents Welfare Law, the Republic Act 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act, and the Executive Order No. 70, which creates the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Regional Director Leonardo C. Reynoso welcomed the participants on the first day of the activity. He also discussed the Magna Carta for Social Workers and DSWD thrust and priorities for 2023, as well as the payout and transfer of funds for the Social Pension Program and the schedule of distribution of the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) cash card on the third day.

Meanwhile, Engr. Raymond B. Libarra from the KALAHI CIDSS Operations discussed the Cash For Work Program for the persons with disabilities on the second day.

Attended mostly by the municipal social workers and other focal persons, the four-day activity aimed at equipping the participants with knowledge and skills in providing social services particularly related to the community-based programs and mechanisms to address sectoral concerns, particularly on family, children, women, persons with disability, and community as a whole.

The pool of speakers of the capacity building included Mr. John Paul Magalang, Ms. Viviene L. Agustin, Mr. Joseph R. Salavarria, Ms. Princess T. Vagilidad, Ms. Shiena Jane Moral, Ms. Kathryna Sarmiento, Ms. Hannah Morella, and Ms. Jonalyn S. Flores from the DSWD FO MIMAROPA.