DSWD-7 conducts Information Officers’ forum

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7, through its Social Marketing Section (SMS), recently conducted the Information Officers Forum to share the agency’s accomplishments, updates, and innovation projects with the public information officers’ network.

Information officers from local government units and other national government agencies participated in the forums.

The SMS, which is responsible for communicating the agency’s programs and services, took the lead in sharing with them DSWD’s accomplishments in 2023, which cover programs like Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, Sustainable Livelihood Program, Social Pension, and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, among others, that benefit over 2.3 million beneficiaries with various social welfare programs.

DSWD-7 also presented disaster response programs such as Project Lawa at Binhi, which responds to the continuing effects of climate change, augmentation response to the El Niño phenomenon, and prepositioning of food and non-food items in different areas in the region.

Buong Bansa Handa project was also highlighted by showing DSWD’s proactive response to calamities and disasters, such as the Kanlaon phreatic eruption when the department sent humanitarian assistance at the onset by deploying a mobile command center and prepositioned relief goods.

In her message, DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero called on the participants to become DSWD advocates and influencers who will make the public better understand and make informed decisions.

“By tapping you as our partners, we are confident that we will be able to address misinformation and disinformation prevalent in our communities,” she said.

The Regional Alternative for Child Care Office-7 also joined the information sharing in the last leg of the Information Officers Forum which took place in Siquijor to share RA 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act and the programs and services of the National Authority for Child Care, the newly-created attached agency of DSWD.

“By communicating and advocating for correct information, the forum serves as a venue for the public and stakeholders to trust the national government to put its resources in the right place,” DSWD-7 further said. — /BRP (FREEMAN)