To promote mental wellness and emotional resilience among its workforce, DSWD Field Office XI, through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), held a wellness forum titled “Nurturing the Nurturer’s: Strengthening the Heart of Compassion” on May 15, 2025, at The Ritz Hotel and Garden Oases.

The forum brought together staff from various divisions for a day of reflection and learning, focusing on the often-unseen emotional challenges faced by social workers and leaders. DSWD XI OIC-Regional Director Merlinda A. Paragamac led the Regional Management Committee in the event, emphasizing that leaders, too, need care and support. “The nurturers need nurture too… Leadership should not mean isolation,” she shared.

Representatives from Called to Rescue, including President Anthony Pangilinan and Dr. Cyndi Romine, along with pediatrician Dr. Richard Mata, served as resource speakers. They advocated for trauma-informed leadership and the importance of wellness, self-awareness, and resilience in frontline service.

The event also highlighted efforts to raise awareness on abuse and trafficking, aligning with DSWD’s mission to protect children and vulnerable sectors.

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