SWAD teams converge here

CEBU, Philippines - More than 100 social welfare officers from the various field offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development met here in Cebu City recently for a national conference to improve the delivery of services provided by the social welfare and development (SWAD) teams based in all provinces all over the country.

DSWD being the chair of the National Disaster Coordinating Council’s Subcommittee on Disaster Response has been tasked to oversee the conduct of relief operations of the local government units, as the first line agency for disaster relief, especially on food assistance to victims in evacuation centers.

This includes adequacy of relief goods, timelines of assistance, and appropriate goods and services provided to victims of disasters.

After devolution in the early 1990s, its primary function on disaster relief is now focused on providing technical assistance and resource augmentation (TARA).

Hence, the DSWD organized all SWAD teams in each province all over the country to address the need of LGUs for TARA on devolved services and along disaster management.

SWAD teams are the DSWD’s front liners or extension arms to achieve the mandate of the department.

During the said conference, SWAD team leaders came up with tools to measure the performance of their TARA and liaison work with the LGUs in the delivery and implementation of devolved programs and services.

DSWD Secretary Celia Yangco who graced the occasion encouraged all participants to make a difference in the lives of their clients whom they are serving.

The creation of the SWAD teams gives the department a network down the grassroots to immediately respond not only for its regular programs and services but most especially during disaster operations.

“DSWD social workers must walk extra miles to motivate, capacitate and empower the people that the government is serving,” Yangco said. — Johanna T. Natavio/MEEV  (FREEMAN NEWS)