The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V recently celebrates its’ 66th foundation anniversary with theme: “DSWD@66th: May Malasakit” held at Legazpi City Convention Center.

The anniversary underscore’s the DSWD’s commitment to render social services to the marginalized sectors of the society regardless of political or religious beliefs and gender orientation.

Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia expressed his thanks to all the DSWD staff present and participating government agencies.

He said during the activity that DSWD started in delivering social services since 1951. “DSWD alone is not a monopoly to address poverty reflecting on its logo—the heart means the Department’s service of love to the poor. Its left hand is our clients and the other hand is our partner agencies rendering public service. Simply means we have to unite together to continue giving commitment and service to the poor underlying our mandate of “Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo,” he said.

The activity started with a motorcade and mass celebration in the morning attended by almost 1,500 DSWD field staff from various programs, centers and institutions and attached agency.

Product display of various handicrafts and native food delicacies, massage and cosmetic treatment such as pedicure and manicure services was also offered during the anniversary by the beneficiaries of Sustainable Livelihood Program-A program that aims to improve the socioeconomic capacity of the participants through micro-enterprise development and employment facilitation activities that shall ultimately provide a sustainable income source.

Also, said activity, highlights the recognition to partner government agencies and Praise and Loyalty awards to outstanding and loyal employees.

The Praise awards comes with individual, group and special awards which are the Gawad Huwaran–given to a DSWD employee who are able to render extraordinary work performance or service and exemplary demonstration of DSWD’s three (3) core competencies in work execution, thereby significantly contributing to the achievement of the strategic goals  as well as the tunay na malasakit, maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo sa mamamayan; and the Gawad Kalihim which is given to employees who serve as an inspiration and motivation to other employees to emulate.

Director Garcia said the anniversary is a timely occasion to enjoin DSWD family to walk the extra mile to serve others with commitment and dedication.

“We will continue doing this kind of activities to carry on the spirit of team work, bring the different programs and services, not only the DSWD, but other agencies of the government together to continue to fulfill our mandate to serve and help the poor especially the hard to reach places,” he said.

He added that one demonstration of dedicated service of the field office is the recent awards it received from the national level which are first place in Best in Crisis Intervention Unit and Tatak Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo sa Larangan ng Disaster Response.

More so, the employees who received the awards are the following:

Gawad Huwaran

  1. Racquel P. Borromeo

Gawad Kalihim

  1. Gloria F. Rempillo
  2. Imelda C. Oro
  3. Leonor P. Loneza
  4. Nilo B. Mendoza
  5. Randy L.Macinas
  6. Rene D. Despabiladero
  7. Rosario N. Arcena

Group Award

  • 1stPlace:  Best in Crisis Intervention Unit – recognition to the delivery of timely and appropriate direct financial benefits to indigent people including hospitalization bills, burials and transportation for those who wish to return to their provices.
  • 1stPlace: Tatak Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo sa Larangan ng Disaster Response – given to recognize the responses team’s delivery of effective and efficient operations along disaster preparedness and response.

Loyalty Award

Ten years in service

  1. Cristina S. Bellen
  2. Azucena B. Bodino
  3. Maria Linda  S. Nolso
  4. Liodivina L. Abion
  5. Henry A. Abion
  6. Avita L. Garlando
  7. Maria Robelie C, Rabulan
  8. Lilibeth E. Gargante
  9. Jonathan  B. Penaflor
  10. Cecille E. Jetajobe

Eleven years in service

  1. Arnel A. Avila
  2. Jerome G. Canaveral
  3. Eugene L. Socito
  4. Joel A. Abocado
  5. Coleta R. Roaring
  6. George P. Borja

Twelve years in service

  1. Russel R. Malejana
  2. Fe Balute
  3. Aladin L.Naje

Thirteen years in service

  1. Cherelyn  B. Bahoy
  2. Marilou N. Loma
  3. Jonathan M. Basilla
  4. Juan C. Oliver

Fourteen years in service

  1. Nely C. Totanes
  2. Edsel A. Tiansay Jr

Fifteen years in service

  1. Myra F.Siddayao

Sixteen years in service

  1. Cecille G. Mapa

Twenty years in service

  1. Marilyn  B. Marano
  2. Sammie B. Buenconsejo
  3. Elena B. Mateo
  4. Flora N. Ruivivar

Twenty five years in service

  1. Rose Marie S. Baldon

Thirty years in service

  1. Gilberto R. Logronio
  2. Corazon A. Pitero
  3. Ramon C. Rosales

Thirty five years in service

  1. Asuncion M. Guerina
  2. Nida M. Tiansay
  3. Nancy R. Basallo

Other activities that marked the Department’s 66th celebration are modern folk dance, your face sound’s familiar and missed universe.***G.A.N.L-4PsIO