The DSWD holds the groundbreaking ceremony of the P120-million DSWD building at the Regional Center Site, Rawis, Legazpi City last November 7, 2017.

During the said ceremony, DSWD Dir. Arnel Garcia was joined by DSWD Undersecretary Camilo Gudmalin, Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara, DPWH OIC Assistant Regional Director Esmeraldo Sarmiento and Auditor Cecil Imperial to witness the said event.

“We are proud to be part of this momentous event and with this initiative being done to provide safe, suitable and secure facilities,” Usec. Gudmalin who represents OIC Sec. Emmanuel Leyco said.

Moreover, Dir. Garcia is grateful of this progress because this is a longtime dream which has come into fruition. He also added that the new DSWD building near Depart of Science and Technology (DOST) and in front of Bureau of Treasury will be closer to the public because of its strategic location.

“This is a milestone for the DSWD because we can now have a conducive office space for our manpower and especially for our clients: those people seeking for financial assistance, local government units (LGUs), civil society organizations (CSOs) and other groups who wish to avail of our programs and services,” Dir. Garcia said.

The existing DSWD building at Buraguis, Legazpi City was constructed 35 years ago that can only accommodate 65 persons. Today, the actual number of employees who report at the said office is more or less 300 based on the Human Resource and Development Unit (HRDU) data. However, this building will remain as an extension office of DSWD once the new building is completed.

“The DSWD Regional Office has grown with a total of 2,800 personnel and its 10% report to the regional office,” Dir. Garcia added.

The construction of the two-storey building worth P120 million will be erected in three years on the 3,000 square meter lot which was granted to DSWD through the efforts of the Regional Development Council (RDC) under the leadership of RDC Chairman Bichara.

However, an initial cost of P18 million was downloaded for the sub-soil exploration and construction of fencing and the ground floor of the main building grid one to seven.

“The remaining amount was already requested from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to complete the building in three years’ time but we will lobby to facilitate that this will be done in a shorter period,” Usec. Gudmalin said.

Gov. Bichara is also offering lots in Ligao City for the DSWD’s Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY). He is also offering a space for the DSWD warehouse in Legazpi City.

“We are very lucky to witness this historic event because after 35 years, we will have a DSWD Regional Headquarters,” Gov. Bichara added.

Usec. Gudmalin said that the current DSWD office is a Marcos-type of building designed as a training facility.