QUEZON CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office MIMAROPA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening social protection systems following its participation in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing Ceremony under the Social Protection, Inclusion and Gender Equality (SPRING) Program on June 23, 2026, at Crowne Plaza Hotel Ortigas, Quezon City. Led by the SPRING Program, the activity gathered representatives from national government agencies, local government units, and development partners to formalize their commitment to advancing inclusive, gender-responsive, and climate-informed social protection initiatives in participating local government units.
Representing DSWD MIMAROPA during the event were Regional Director Benchie B. Gonzales, alongside Assistant Secretary Juan Carlo V. Marquez and Undersecretary Adonis P. Sulit, CESO II, who joined key stakeholders in supporting the implementation of the program in the region. The SPRING Program is a five-year grant initiative (2024–2029) supported by the Government of Australia. It aims to assist national and local governments in strengthening social protection systems while promoting gender equality, disability inclusion, and social inclusion.
The program also seeks to improve the responsiveness of social protection services to climate-related and disaster risks. As the lead government agency for social protection and co-chairperson of the SPRING Steering Committee and the SPRING Social Protection Technical Working Group, DSWD plays a crucial role in providing technical guidance, policy support, and capacity-building assistance to local government units to ensure the effective implementation of the program.
The partnership is expected to enhance the capacity of local governments in planning and delivering social protection interventions while integrating gender equality, disability inclusion, and climate resilience into local governance and development initiatives. Through this collaboration, DSWD MIMAROPA, together with its partner agencies and stakeholders, continues to advance its commitment to reducing poverty, promoting social inclusion, and improving the lives of vulnerable individuals and families across the region.
