DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian, together with DSWD officials, welcomes British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils (3rd from right), Consul Neil James (2nd from right), and Political Officer Ronn Bautista (right). Gatchalian also presented a token to the British envoy during a courtesy visit at the DSWD Central Office on Monday, April 24.
DSWD chief, British envoy to renew ties on social welfare concerns
DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday met with British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils to further strengthen existing ties and discuss possible partnership opportunities on capacitating the social welfare workforce and fighting hunger in the Philippines.
During the British envoy’s courtesy visit, Gatchalian laid out to Ambassador Beaufils and her delegation the DSWD initiatives to upskill its workforce and mitigate hunger in the country.
As part of its plans to further equip and train the social welfare workforce and other service providers offering and implementing social protection packages, the DSWD will revitalize its “Social Welfare and Development Center for Asia and the Pacific” (SWADCAP) as an academy for social workers and those involved in social welfare programs.
Through the academy, the DSWD will provide certificate programs and short courses on various fields like social protection and disaster preparedness, among others, to further improve the provision of social welfare programs to people experiencing poverty and vulnerable sectors.
In addressing hunger in the country, Gatchalian shared the DSWD’s plans to implement and provide “digital food stamps” that may be used by its recipients to buy goods in grocery stores and supermarkets.
In response to the DSWD chief, Beaufils vowed to share the British government’s curriculum and other materials that the DSWD may use for its academy.
The British envoy also expressed her government’s commitment to providing technical assistance in providing digital food stamps for poor Filipinos.
In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide immediate assistance to indigent Filipinos, Gatchalian continues to strengthen the DSWD’s relationship with international governments that will contribute to its “fight against hunger” and improvement in the delivery of quality services to the public.
