Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Bautista awards the Plaque of Appreciation to PTV-4 reporter Allan Francisco during the Fellowship with the Media on May 14.

Recognizing the role of the media in advancing its communications efforts under the stewardship of Secretary Rolando Bautista, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) held a simple Fellowship with the Media on May 14 to express appreciation and gratitude to them.

In his message, Secretary Bautista highlighted the significant role of the members of the media in bringing the Department’s programs and services closer to the people through fair and accurate reportage in their publications, news and public affairs programs, and online sites.

As a token of appreciation, the DSWD awarded the media participants with Plaques of Appreciation emphasizing their significant and valuable contributions as media partners of the Department from 2018 to 2022.  The Plaque further stated that the DSWD successfully implemented its programs and services to the clienteles through the support from the media which demonstrates their commitment and passion in the service of the Filipino through fair, transparent, timely, and accurate communication of the Department’s core messages, programs, and services.

Also during the event, the DSWD presented its milestone accomplishments under the leadership of Secretary Bautista. Notable of which are the Social Amelioration Program; Yakap Bayan Program; and interventions in support to Executive Order No. 70 series of 2018, or an Act institutionalizing the Whole-of-Nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace.

Other milestone gains include the implementation of the provisions of Republic Act 11310 or the 4Ps Act such as the increase in the education and health grants. Significantly, through the 4Ps, some 838,483 household-beneficiaries have achieved self-sufficiency level, while 51,475 have graduated and exited from the program as they can already stand on their own feet even without program interventions.

The DSWD also mentioned that it is currently preparing a Transition Plan to serve as a guide for a well-coordinated change of leadership in the Department and to ensure the smooth and continued delivery of “Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo”.

Media partners from DZBB, DZRH, DZXL, Manila Times, Pilipino Mirror, Radyo Pilipinas, PTV 4, Sonshine Media, dzmjonline.net, diaryongtagalog.net, and the Philippine Investigative Medial Alliance, Inc.  actively participated in the Fellowship.

In closing, Secretary Bautista reiterated his gratitude to the members of the media and hoped that they continue to be partners of the DSWD in reaching out to the public. ###