DSWD-7 links NGOs to enhance programs

CEBU, Philippines- To further enhance their capacities, about 30 non-government organizations in Central Visayas have forged synergies through the Social Welfare and Development Learning Network (SWDL-Net).

The initiative, which aims to help NGOs avail of quality capacity building programs, was the brainchild of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7.

“The aim of the SWDL-Net is to enhance the capacity of non-government organizations and groups that are engaged in poverty alleviation and social protection,” said DSWD-7 director Mercedita Jabagat.

“Through the SWDL-Net we can have a self-regulating learning network wherein member NGOs can avail of quality capacity building programs and in doing so we can provide relevant and accessible programs and services to their target beneficiaries,” Jabagat added.

To realize the sustainability of the linkages among member NGOs, a planning workshop was recently conducted to determine the vision, mission, objectives and key result areas of the SWDL-Net.

According to Frohnie Cagalitan, one of the Board of Directors of Philippine Association of Social Workers Inc. (PASWI) Cebu Chapter said the network will also help those below the poverty line.

“This network, I’m very sure, can really help the goals of DSWD in social protection and poverty reduction because these different NGOs are contributing something to reduce poverty.”

“Through sharing of expertise and resources we can be able to capacitate and help each other,” Cagalitan added.  (FREEMAN)