Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo urged the officials and employees of the Department to unite and continue providing “Maagap na Serbisyo (Prompt Service)” to the poor as the agency’s new year’s resolution during its first flag-raising ceremony for 2017 at the Central Office.

In her speech, which was delivered by Assistant Secretary Aleli B. Bawagan, Sec. Taguiwalo emphasized the importance of providing prompt service to those in need.

“Ang mga serbisyo kasi natin, kailangang laging maagap, laging kagyat, pang-tawid, para sa ngayon at ngayon na. Gamot ng maysakit para sa ngayon. Pagkain ng bata para sa ngayon. Relief goods para sa ngayon. Tulong pinansyal para sa nawalan ng tirahan o pamasahe para sa ngayon (Our services – medicines for the sick, food for the children, relief goods for disaster victims, financial assistance for the needy- all these must be provided now),” the Secretary said.

The welfare chief also acknowledged the contribution of each of the office, bureau, and service of the agency in providing services during recent disasters, specifically during the onslaught of Typhoon ‘Nina’ from December 23-27, 2016.

“Ang DSWD Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DREAMB), National Resource Operations Office (NROO), at mga Field Offices ay nagbantay, mahigpit na umalalay sa mga LGU, at agad na tumugon sa mga nasalanta ng Bagyong Nina. Hanggang ngayon patuloy pa rin ang pag-abot natin sa mga nasalanta para sa pagbigay ng Emergency Shelter Assistance (The DSWD DREAMB, NROO, and Field Offices kept a close watch, assisted the LGUs, and responded to the needs of the victims of Typhoon ‘Nina. The DSWD will now start to implement the Emergency Shelter Assistance),” Sec. Taguiwalo continued.

“Umiikot tayo at patuloy ang mahigpit na koordinasyon sa mga LGU at iba pang ahensya ng ating pamahalaan para alamin at bigyang tugon ang mga panawagan ng ating mga kababayang apektado ng bagyo. Hindi lang ito ang ating mga ginawa, dahil ang ating mga Field Offices ay tuloy-tuloy din ang trabaho para makatulong sa mga nangangailangan noong Kapaskuhan (We’ve been visiting the areas badly hit by the typhoon and coordinating closely with LGUs and other government agencies to know and be able to respond to the call for help of ‘Nina’-affected families. Other than this, our Field Offices have been providing assistance to those in need during the Christmas season),” she continued.

Sec. Taguiwalo also encouraged the employees of the Department to show their “performance level” this 2017 by doing their best in providing services to the poor and underprivileged.

“Sana ay buhayin natin sa ating puso, isip, at diwa ang pagmamahal sa ating propesyon at trabaho; alalahanin natin sa araw-araw na tayo ay nasa DSWD para maglingkod at maglingkod ng tapat (I hope that we continue to live up to the essence of our profession and to lover our work. Let us remember everyday that we are at DSWD to serve faithfully),” Sec. Taguiwalo stressed.

“Alam kong napakarami ng hamon at problemang kinaharap natin noong 2016 at maraming haharapin pa ngayong 2017, ngunit kung magkakaisa tayo, magtutulungan,at hindi bibitiw sa ating mga tungkuling maglingkod habang naggigiit ng ating mga karapatan, marami tayong mapagtatagumpayan (I know that we encountered many challenges and problems in 2016 and we will face new ones in 2017, but if we unite, help each other, and hold unto our commitment to serve while upholding our rights, we will succeed),” she said.

This morning’s flag raising ceremony also served as kick-off activity for the DSWD 66thFounding Anniversary which will be celebrated later this month. ###