Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro — To strengthen its operations in preparation for reaccreditation, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) MIMAROPA, through the MIMAROPA Youth Center (MYC), successfully conducted its 2025 Strategic Planning and Program Review and Evaluation Workshop (PREW) in two batches on September 22–26, 2025 at LaSersita WaterSpa and Beach Resort, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro.

The five-day workshop gathered the center head, social workers, nurse, psychometrician, administrative staff, houseparents, and selected residents, reflecting the collective commitment of MYC to collaboration, growth, and continuous improvement in the delivery of care and rehabilitation services. 

Representing Regional Director Leonardo C. Reynoso, CESO III, Social Welfare Officer IV and Center Head Maricris M. Silla welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of the activity, stating, “Ang strategic planning, for us to identify ‘yong ating mga issues and concerns pertaining to our daily operation. And of course, [ang] important reason doon [ay] sa ating renewal ng ating accreditation. Kaya po ba nating maipasa? Kakayanin natin. Pagbalik natin sa center, dapat masimulan na natin. Looking forward po tayo riyan na ma-accredit tayo.”

Key discussions included the DSWD Thrusts and Priorities 2026–2028 presented by Planning Officer III Pacita Noren Y. Villazorda, the FY 2025 Physical and Financial Accomplishment Report by Financial Analyst II Jermaine Arenas of the Protective Services Division (PSD), and an Overview of Tools of Analysis by Vivien L. Agustin, Manpower Development Officer I of PSD, who also served as the program’s main facilitator. 

The sessions also covered the FY 2025 Budget Parameters, MYC National Expenditure Program (NEP), and Action Plan, along with an Overview of Risk Management. Each service section of MYC delivered their pre-work presentations, accomplishment reports, and risk management outputs, contributing to a comprehensive review of the center’s operations.

To culminate the event, invited resource speaker Dr. Ramon E. Woo Jr., Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor IV at John Paul College, facilitated a session on “Caring for the Carers: Developing Cohesiveness and Effective Communication.” The session focused on staff development and emphasized the importance of teamwork and well-being for those providing direct care and rehabilitation services.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Silla expressed gratitude to the resource persons and stressed the importance of moving beyond issue identification toward concrete solutions, noting, “Grateful sa ating RPs sina Ma’am Vivien and Ma’am Noreen. Hindi lang tayo matatapos doon sa identification ng issues and concerns. Very important na ma-address po natin ito para hindi na siya maging recurrent, kumbaga paulit-ulit na lang.” 

The program was officially closed by Princess T. Vagilidad, Concurrent Regional Center Coordinator (RCC) and PSD Division Chief, through a video call, where she commended the staff’s dedication to unity, collaborative effort, and continuous improvement.

The 2025 Strategic Planning and Program Review and Evaluation Workshop served as a vital step for DSWD MIMAROPA, through MYC, in addressing administrative and operational concerns, preparing for accreditation renewal, enhancing staff development, strengthening organizational direction, and improving program implementation. 

The activity reaffirmed the center’s mission of ensuring quality rehabilitation services for children in conflict with the law (CICL) and other clients, while sustaining MYC’s role as a partner in nation-building through family and community-focused interventions.