DAVAO CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) held its culmination in the celebration of the 68th Anniversary on Monday, March 11, at Davao Convention and Trade Center, with the theme “Partners for Change.”

As one of the highlights of the celebration, the DSWD paid tribute to its partners through an awarding ceremony, recognizing their efforts and contributions, which made a significant impact on the accomplishments on the Agency’s mandate. 

DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista personally handed plaques and certificates to the awardees together with Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat and Assistant Regional Director for Administration Raquel N. Nuñez. 

Bautista said in his message that partners from the government sector, non-government organizations, civic groups, and volunteer groups made the job of DSWD lighter and better felt in the grassroots.

Some of the awardees are the Caburan Rural Improvement Club in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental as Best Volunteer Group; Cor Jesu College Br. Polycarp Institute for Community Development Foundation, Inc. as Best Non-Government Organization; Association of Friends of the Home for the Aged, Inc.; the Philippine Air Force-Tactical Operations Group XI; and the Buddhist Compassion Relief – Tsu Chi Foundation, among others.

Awards were also given to local government units such as LGU Tagum as Model LGU Implementing Day Care Services and LGU New Bataan for implementing KALAHI-CIDSS.

Regional winners of the 2017 Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities were also handed over to the City of Davao, Municipality of Braulio Dujali, City of Panabo, and Municipality of Nabunturan.

The DSWD XI also recognized national government agencies, provincial government units, and media partners.

“This year, we hope to better our services by tapping more partners to help our social workers reach out to our program beneficiaries,” Bautista said. (PIA 11)