In a move to further raise public awareness on its programs and services, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Centro Escolar University (CEU) for a partnership in the production of advocacy materials for the Department.

“One of the Department’s major communications thrusts is to ensure that the public will be well-informed on the agency’s work and services. This is in line with our message, “DSWD Para sa Nakararami,” emphasizing the Department’s equal treatment to communities, giving priority to the poor and marginalized sectors,” Assistant Secretary Aleli B. Bawagan said.

Because of this, the Social Marketing Service (SMS), the communications arm of the Department, continues to forge partnerships  with different stakeholders, including the academe.

“The most important thing is to get DSWD’s message across and to ensure that the public becomes aware of the programs and services of the Department.  Based on our experience, there are many Filipinos who have yet to know that DSWD implements other programs aside from Pantawid Pamilya, Social Pension, Supplementary Feeding, and the like,” said Asec. Bawagan.

The partnership is also a way for DSWD to raise awareness  among  the youth on the plight of the vulnerable sectors in society and the different programs available for them.

Under the agreement,  the third year Advertising students were asked to produce an advertising campaign for topics identified by the DSWD, as their final project for the semester.   They then produced a poster design, television and radio ads, and an online video.

“Ang kabataan ang silang kinabukasan ng ating bansa kaya’t makakatulong na mulat sila sa mga nangyayari sa kapaligiran.  Gusto din nating ibigay sa kanila ang mensahe na ang mga kabataan ay may magagawa upang makatulong sa mga mahihirap, at isa na dito ay ang maging parte ng pagpapalaganap ng tamang impormasyon ukol sa mahahalagang  usapin at maging parte ng adbokasiya  (The youth is the future of our country and it  is important that they are made aware of the issues around them.  We would also like to impress in their young minds that they can become part of nation-building and that they can help the poor and the needy. The youth can help by disseminating the right information and supporting significant advocacies),” Asec. Bawagan stressed.

The partnership will culminate this Saturday, March 24, through an awarding ceremony dubbed  as the CEU Awards for Media and the Arts (CMAMA) wherein the outputs of the students will be recognized.

Among the topics selected by DSWD for the students’ advertising campaign were #HelptheHomelessPH campaign; Human Trafficking; Social Pension Program; Golden Reception and Action Center and other Special Cases (GRACES); and Legal Adoption. ###