The Association of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Social Workers, Inc. (ADSWI) Bicol Chapter officially welcomed its new set of officers during a virtual oath-taking ceremony held on April 2, 2025 via Google Meet.
The ceremony was led by Ms. Myla S. Gatchalian, National President of ADSWI and Assistant Regional Director for Operations of DSWD Field Office IV-A. In her message, she reminded the new leaders that their roles come with deep responsibility.
“This oath isn’t just a promise but a call to action to lead the way, advance the interest and be of service to our fellow social workers, especially in Bicol Region,” Gatchalian said. “
“Your journey to make a difference in shaping the future of ADSWI has begun. There are still many more to be done,” she added.
Newly elected chapter president Priscilla C. Saladaga, CESE, also shared heartfelt reflections during her acceptance speech. She recalled how the December 2024 General Assembly reignited the chapter’s momentum, and expressed her readiness to lead with purpose.
“When a mission is entrusted to you, how can you say no?” she said. “We are simply instruments of service, carrying the trust of our colleagues and the bigger mission of strengthening the social work profession.”
Here are the newly-elected officials of ADSWI Bicol Chapter:
President: PRISCILLA C. SALADAGA, CESE – Division Chief, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Vice-President: ELLEN M. ALCANTARA – Assistant Regional Program Coordinator, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Secretary: MICHELLE R. REBATO – Project Development Officer III, MCCT Focal, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Treasurer: JAY P. AYDALLA – Social Welfare Officer IV – RCM Focal, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Auditor: HARRY JAY DAET – Social Welfare Officer IV/Provincial Link-Camarines Sur II, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Public Relations Officer: LLOYD S. LARA – Social Welfare Officer II, Protective Services Division
Provincial Representative
Albay: RINA E. APUYAN – Social Welfare Officer II/Provincial Link-Albay, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Camarines Norte: SHEENA C. TAD-O – Social Welfare Officer III/Provincial Link-Camarines Norte, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Camarines Sur: ARLENE C. FABELLARE – Social Welfare Officer IV/Provincial Link-Camarines Sur I, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Sorsogon: CECILLE G. MAPA – Social Welfare Officer IV/Provincial Link-Sorsogon, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Catanduanes: DARYL N. BALBASTRO – Social Welfare Officer III/Provincial Link-Catanduanes, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Masbate: LARAMIE M. OCHARAN – Social Welfare Officer IV/Provincial Link-Masbate, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
The ceremony was led by Ms. Myla S. Gatchalian, National President of ADSWI and Assistant Regional Director for Operations of DSWD Field Office IV-A. In her message, she reminded the new leaders that their roles come with deep responsibility.
“This oath isn’t just a promise but a call to action to lead the way, advance the interest and be of service to our fellow social workers, especially in Bicol Region,” Gatchalian said. “
“Your journey to make a difference in shaping the future of ADSWI has begun. There are still many more to be done,” she added.
Newly elected chapter president Priscilla C. Saladaga, CESE, also shared heartfelt reflections during her acceptance speech. She recalled how the December 2024 General Assembly reignited the chapter’s momentum, and expressed her readiness to lead with purpose.
“When a mission is entrusted to you, how can you say no?” she said. “We are simply instruments of service, carrying the trust of our colleagues and the bigger mission of strengthening the social work profession.”
Here are the newly-elected officials of ADSWI Bicol Chapter:
President: PRISCILLA C. SALADAGA, CESE – Division Chief, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Vice-President: ELLEN M. ALCANTARA – Assistant Regional Program Coordinator, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Secretary: MICHELLE R. REBATO – Project Development Officer III, MCCT Focal, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Treasurer: JAY P. AYDALLA – Social Welfare Officer IV – RCM Focal, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Auditor: HARRY JAY DAET – Social Welfare Officer IV/Provincial Link-Camarines Sur II, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Public Relations Officer: LLOYD S. LARA – Social Welfare Officer II, Protective Services Division
Provincial Representative
Albay: RINA E. APUYAN – Social Welfare Officer II/Provincial Link-Albay, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Camarines Norte: SHEENA C. TAD-O – Social Welfare Officer III/Provincial Link-Camarines Norte, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Camarines Sur: ARLENE C. FABELLARE – Social Welfare Officer IV/Provincial Link-Camarines Sur I, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Sorsogon: CECILLE G. MAPA – Social Welfare Officer IV/Provincial Link-Sorsogon, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Catanduanes: DARYL N. BALBASTRO – Social Welfare Officer III/Provincial Link-Catanduanes, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Masbate: LARAMIE M. OCHARAN – Social Welfare Officer IV/Provincial Link-Masbate, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Board Members:
CLAUDIO A. VILLAREAL, JR. – Social Welfare Officer IV/Division Chief, Disaster Risk Management Division
VICTORIA C. TAGUM – Social Welfare Officer V/Division Chief, Protective Services Division
GERLIE L. AVILA – Social Welfare Officer V/Division Chief, Promotive Services Division/Innovations Division
JINDRA M. REFIL – Social Welfare Officer IV/Head, Community-based Services Section, Protective Services Division
MARRISA M. PAESTE – Social Welfare Officer IV/Head, Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth, Protective Services Division
DONNA M. OSIAL – Social Welfare Officer IV/Head, Crisis Intervention Unit, Protective Services Division
The ADSWI is a legal entity composed of Registered Social Workers (RSW) employed in the Department of Social Welfare and Development whose objective is to participate in the formulation and implementation of policies, problems, and matters related to the practice of the social work profession. ###
CLAUDIO A. VILLAREAL, JR. – Social Welfare Officer IV/Division Chief, Disaster Risk Management Division
VICTORIA C. TAGUM – Social Welfare Officer V/Division Chief, Protective Services Division
GERLIE L. AVILA – Social Welfare Officer V/Division Chief, Promotive Services Division/Innovations Division
JINDRA M. REFIL – Social Welfare Officer IV/Head, Community-based Services Section, Protective Services Division
MARRISA M. PAESTE – Social Welfare Officer IV/Head, Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth, Protective Services Division
DONNA M. OSIAL – Social Welfare Officer IV/Head, Crisis Intervention Unit, Protective Services Division
The ADSWI is a legal entity composed of Registered Social Workers (RSW) employed in the Department of Social Welfare and Development whose objective is to participate in the formulation and implementation of policies, problems, and matters related to the practice of the social work profession. ###