To recognize the unwavering commitment and hard work of Filipino social workers around the nation, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) joined the celebration of the “Philippine Social Workers’ Day” on June 19, 2019 at the Heroes’ Hall, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

With the theme, “Social Work Profession in the Philippines: Its Evolution and Resiliency through Changing Times,” the activity commemorated the historical milestones of the social work profession in the Philippines and highlighted the contributions of social workers in the delivery of social welfare and development services to uplift the quality of life of the Filipino people.

The grand event was jointly organized by the member-associations of the ASEAN Social Work Consortium – Philippines. These are the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI); DOH League of Medical Social Workers; National Association for Social Work Education, Inc. (NASWEI); Association of Medical Social Workers of the Philippines, Inc. (AMSWPI); Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines, Inc. (ALSWDOPI)); National Council of Social Development, Inc. (NCSD); Philippine Association of Court Social Workers, Inc. (PACSWI); Association of Child Caring Agencies of the Philippines, Inc. (ACCAP); and the Association of DSWD Social Workers, Inc. (ADSWI), in collaboration with  DSWD Field Office III and the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD) represented in the Philippines by DSWD Undersecretary Florita R. Villar.

On behalf of Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, Undersecretary Florita R. Villar delivered a message acknowledging the notable contributions of the social work consortium members to the promotion and advancement of social welfare and development policies and programs.

“The consortium has become a very important platform in ensuring the advancement of social work practice and education and consequently promote a more consolidated and harmonized efforts in handling emerging social welfare issues,” she said.

“Working closely and together with our various social work associations have provided valuable opportunities to strengthen mechanisms and cooperation for a more effective and participatory delivery of services, hence achieving common goals on poverty alleviation, human development, social protection, promotion, and protection of vulnerable sectors, empowerment – just to name a few,” the Undersecretary added.

The event also paved the way for the eventual issuance of an executive order or presidential proclamation declaring every 19^th of June as the national celebration of Social Workers’ Day in accordance with the date of approval of Republic Act No. 4373 or “An Act to Regulate the Practice of Social Work and the Operation of Social Work Agencies in the Philippines and For Other Purposes.”

Reaffirmation of commitment

The event was also made more momentous by the signing of the covenant reaffirming the commitments of the nine member-associations to the promotion and advancement of the social work profession, education, and practice in the country. The consortium maintained its commitment to strengthen international and regional cooperation on social work matters providing valuable opportunities to build and/or expand collaborations and professional exchanges on various social welfare services/programs including good practices in addressing emerging issues.

Recognition of outstanding social workers

Another highlight of the event was the special recognition and honor accorded to the recipients of the Professional Regulation Commission’s (PRC) “Outstanding Professionals in the Field of Social Work” award from 1977 to 2018.

Among the awardees were erstwhile DSWD officials, namely, former Secretaries Corazon Alma De Leon and Corazon “Dinky” Juliano-Soliman, former Undersecretary Lourdes Balanon, and current DSWD Undersecretary Florita R. Villar of Office of the Undersecretary for Standards and Capacity Building.

DSWD strongly believes that among the reasons for the government’s successful implementation of social welfare and development programs, especially in human welfare concerns and disasters in the country, is due to the dedicated service of Filipino social workers who committed their lives for the betterment of the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable sectors of society.

“We give honor to our social workers who are considered to be safety nets of our society. Despite the many challenges they face in practice and as professionals, they are true agents of change. They have critical roles in empowering people, building stronger families and communities, and bridging the gap for our vulnerable sectors,” the Undersecretary said.

As one of the noblest professions, DSWD pledges to continue to support the social work profession as it continues to adapt to emerging issues in the contemporary times. The social workers, regardless of their fields of practice and affiliations – government, non-government, or private sectors – are, indeed, strong and formidable movers toward achieving sustainable development.  

The Department, in partnership with the social workers through the social work consortium, will remain steadfast in improving the practice by further developing effective strategies and other transformative approaches; and strengthening responses to natural and man-made disasters, social issues, human welfare concerns, community organizing, and advocacy and social action, among others. -30-