Davao City –Some 400 professional social workers from all over Mindanao will convene today at Grand Menseng Hotel for the three-day 9^th Regional Convention of Social Workers.

With the theme, Dignidad at Karapatang Pantao: Pahalagahan at Pangalagaan, the event is hosted by the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI) – Mindanao.

Jerry O. Magbanua, President of PASWI Mindanao said the convention aims to forge a stronger community and continually search for positive endeavors for developmental issues and concerns affecting the social work arena and the clientele.

He said that the activity is also part of the continuing professional education and career advancement of the social workers. Social workers from Luzon and Visayas islands have also signified to attend, Magbanua added.

Meanwhile, DSWD Director Priscilla N. Razon has urged social workers in the department to participate.

“It is necessary for us to grow as professionals. We need to update and upgrade otherwise we become obsolete and irrelevant to the changing needs of society. This occasion is a most appropriate setting to persist and continue assimilating and applying new valuable teachings from our colleagues, from the experts, and from the people we are serving.”

Founded on November 12, 1947, PASWI envisions a dynamic transformative professional organization towards total human development. Its goal is to uphold professional standards of the Social Work Practice.

PASWI is a member of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and a charter member of Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC). (DSWD)

Vircelina Suarez, a Pantawid Parent Leader and recipient of Sustainable Livelihood Program from Barangay Ilang, Davao City confidently underscores how her participation in government programs improved her life. “Conscientiously, we observed the rules of the program. I attended Family Development Sessions which taught us to become better parents and better citizens. We have learned a lot and our community is more united now.  If not for Pantawid Pamilya my children wouldn’t have finished school. We are very grateful to DSWD especially now that our community is a recipient of a housing project initiated by DSWD, Holcim Philippines, DBCOM and our barangay. The government has done so much for us. Thank you very much.” (DSWD)