Legazpi City—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region V celebrated the contributions of its 2017 retirees by honoring them in a program dubbed as Salamat, Mabuhay! yesterday at Kanzo Hall and Restaurant.
“It is my honor to be part of this celebration. This is the chance to pay tribute to our retirees together with their friends, families and relatives,” Dir. Arnel Garcia said.

Two former DSWD employees namely, Sammy Buenconsejo, a Social Welfare Assistant at Crisis Intervention Unit and Renato Millena, an Administrative Officer I at the Cash Section, received a plaque of appreciation and cash incentives.

Each of them received a total amount of PhP15,000.00 from DSWD Region V and Social Welfare Employees Association (SWEAP) Bicol.
Buenconsejo served the Department for 21 years while Millena reached 25 years. The former was also the focal person for the promotion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) rights.

Aside from the retirees, Regional Director Arnel Garcia also honored their families for the support.

“Ang retirement ang pagkakataon na babalik ka sa pamilya mo at pasasalamatan sila. Ito na yung time para bawiin yung oras na nawala (Retirement is your chance to return to your family and thank them. This is the time to recover the lost time),” Dir. Garcia said.
He also advised the honorees that retirement should not be seen as the end of their journey and consider it an opportunity to learn a new skill.

Responding to Dir. Garcia’s remark, Millena said that though he misses DSWD, he can now spend all of his time with his family and plans to return to his old hobby of biking and jogging.

“Salamat sa pamunuan ng DSWD at sa lahat ng empleyado. Salamat sa masasayang araw na naging produktibo (I thank the DSWD management and its employees. Thank you for all the productive days),” Buenconsejo said.

He added that both men are extraordinary workers because of their commitment to public service. DSWD employees also prepared audio-video presentations, rendered songs and delivered messages to the two honorees.