CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development has called on licensed social welfare agencies to “strengthen its networking, collaboration and cooperation” through the Area Based Standards Network.
The network was established in 2000 in Region 7 with three clusters based in Bohol, Cebu and Oriental Negros.
At present, it has over 200 non-government organizations that are working with the vision of “developing their member’s teamwork in partnership with the government.”
In a recent meeting participated by those working for the protection of the welfare of different sectors such as women, children, and the elderly, the strengthening of partnership among the DSWD and the LGUs with the registered, licensed and accredited social welfare NGOs was discussed.
Such is seen to help in the “better mobilization of intermediaries at the local level and implement social welfare standards in the registration and licensing of agencies.”
DSWD regional director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre said that ABSNET has helped them in addressing prevailing issues and concerns and in aiding needs of poor and disadvantaged groups through the help of various programs and project packages offered by the agencies.
She also said that the network has helped in increasing mobilization of their resources for quality welfare and service delivery system.
Eleven NGOs were also given and or issued their registration and license certificates from DSWD during the meeting. Those who received the certificates were the Seven Sisters Servants of Mary Elderly House and the Children Protection Front International in Talisay City; SOS Children’s Village, Children’s Joy Foundation, Destiny Medical Fund and PARE-PWD Advocating for Rights and Empowerment in Cebu City; the Toledo City Senior Citizen’s Center, Andres Corominas Memorial Senior Citizens Center-Tuburan, Casa Mianion Children’s Home, Dumaguete Senior Citizens Center, Pro-Bono Publico, and the Little Children of the Philippines Foundation. – AJ dela Torre/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)