THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office (FO) Caraga, held a financial assistance payout at the Father Saturnino Urios University gymnasium, Butuan City, on March 18, 2023 to aid in the recovery of families affected by recent floods brought by various weather disturbances, coupled with the rising prices of commodities due to global inflation.

Led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the payout activity provided cash assistance, under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, to 3,680 eligible families identified and referred in partnership with the Congressional 1st District Office of Agusan del Norte and the City Government of Butuan.

The payout activity was also graced by DSWD Caraga Regional Director Mari-Flor A. Dollaga, Agusan del Norte 1st District Representative Jose Aquino II, and Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada.

Aside from the payout, Gatchalian met with local chief executives (LCEs) in Agusan del Norte, led by Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante, Representative Aquino, and Mayor Lagnada to strengthen the delivery of social protection programs and services in the province.

“I would like to discuss with you our other programs because we do not like our image to just be the provider of disaster aid. We have programs like the KALAHI-CIDSS, and the Sustainable Livelihood Program, which I think will help your constituents better,” Gatchalian said.

The DSWD secretary is expected to continue to meet with other local chief executives in the next weeks to improve the Department’s coordination with local government units (LGUs) and determine other areas for partnership.

‘DSWD supports the 2023 Girl Child Week Celebration’

DSWD expressed its support for celebrating the 2023 Girl Child Week on March 25 to 31, 2023.

The Girl Child Week, spearheaded by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), is an observance pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 759, series of 1996, which declares every fourth week of March as the “Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week.” It aims to raise awareness of and advocate for equal opportunities and protection of all girls in the country.

For this year, the Girl Child Week’s theme is “Strong Girls, Strong World: Protecting Girls’ Rights and Well-being in the Face of Adversity.” It is aligned with the theme of the National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) for 2023 to 2028, “WE for gender equality and inclusive society,” which highlights fair treatment and inclusivity for all people regardless of their race, sexual orientation, class, status, and ethnicity.

The celebration will focus on the issue of adolescent pregnancy and the need for collective action to address the underlying socio-economic and cultural concerns affecting it. Furthermore, the focus also aims to advocate for accessible, adequate, and appropriate interventions for teenage parents and their children.

‘Protection for adolescent mothers’

To provide interventions for adolescent mothers and their families, the DSWD is currently holding a pilot implementation of the project entitled, ProtecTEEN in Antipolo City, Malabon City, and Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

ProtecTEEN adopts a social welfare model of intervention that aims to protect the rights of adolescent mothers and their families as well as to promote their psychological well-being. The project also aims to improve the capacity of teenage mothers through the provision of direct social services and assistance, referral to other concerned agencies, and organizing peer advocates.

Those who want to support Girl Child Week and promote advocacies for girls may use the hashtag #StrongGirlsStrongWorldPH.