DSWD undergoes digital reform
SOCIAL Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian underscored the importance of digital reforms in delivering social protection services and programs.
During the 35th Aboitiz Foundation anniversairy celebration, Gatchalian shared the ongoing efforts of the DSWD to streamline its regulatory services.
“Since I stepped foot on the DSWD, we have prioritized streamlining and digitizing our processes within the Department in pursuit of fostering a more efficient, and responsive social protection ecosystem in the Philippines,” Gatchalian said.
He pointed out that the Department has refined and recalibrated its regulatory services or the process of application for registration, licensing and accreditation of agencies as well as organizations engaged or planning to engage in social welfare operations.
“We strive to implement a more effective accreditation system by refining registration and licensing procedures, making them easier and more effective for our partner implementers of social services,” he said.
The official also emphasized that the DSWD has embraced technology and enhanced the online application system, making the Department “a pioneer in leveraging technology for improved interactions with clients.”
The DSWD chief also noted the importance of streamlining the regulatory services as this will encourage more groups to obtain license and accreditation from the Department, which according to him, will be beneficial for the ‘underprivileged’.
“I am pleased to note that more simplified regulatory procedures play a pivotal role in encouraging more to obtain licensing, thereby paving the way for better service to the underprivileged from our private sector partners,” Gatchalian said.
Giving importance to the partner service providers, the DSWD chief highlighted the significant contributions of non-government organizations and civic groups, like the Aboitiz Foundation, in the country’s overall poverty reduction effort by taking an active role in delivering social protection packages.
“When we synergize or when we get everybody together — foundation, people organization, church-based organization — into the picture, each with your own distinct competencies, then we can get the county moving along,” Gatchalian further explained.
The digitalization and streamlining efforts never end in regulatory services, according to Secretary Gatchalian, as the Department “hopes that later on we can also apply the same thing in dispensing social ameliorations.”
