The Department of Social Welfare and Development is a national agency mandated to provide assistance to local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), other national government agencies (NGAs); people’s organizations (POs) and other members of civil society in effectively implementing programs, projects and services that will alleviate poverty and empower disadvantaged individuals, families and communities for an improved quality of life.

DSWD is…
The premiere social welfare and development agency of the Philippine government.

The provider of technical assistance to LGUs and of the civil society.

Considered as the national policy and regulation institution.

The administrator of special social services and  social development funds.

MANDATE
To provide assistance to Local Government Units (LGUs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and Peoples’ Organizations (Pos) in effectively implementing programs, projects and services for an improved quality of life.

Implement statutory and specialized programs which are directly lodged with the DSWD and not yet devolved to the local government units.

Republic Act No. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 effected the devolution of the following basic programs and services to LGUs.

Barangay: Day Care Service

Municipality: Family and Community Welfare; Child and Youth Welfare; PWD and Older Persons Welfare Program; Community-Based Rehabilitation Program for  Vagrants, Scavengers, Street children, CICL, Drug dependents, livelihood and other Pro-poor Projects

Province: Rebel Returnees and evacuees, Relief operations, Population Development Services

Executive Order No. 15 series of 1998– mandating DSWD to provide assistance to intermediaries (NGOs, LGUs, NGAs, POs and other members of civil society in effectively implementing programs, projects and services that will alleviate poverty and empower disadvantaged individuals, families and communities for an improved quality of life.

VISION
We envision a society where the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged are empowered for an improved quality of life. Towards this end, DSWD will be the world’s standard for the delivery of coordinated social services and social protection for poverty reduction by 2030.

MISSION
To develop, implement and coordinate social protection and poverty reduction solutions for and with the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged.

GOALS
Formulation and advocacy of a just and responsive social welfare and development legislative agenda, policies and plans.

Identification, development and marketing of technologies for building up social capital.

Setting up and enforcement of social welfare and development standards.

Provision of technical assistance and resource augmentation to intermediaries in the implementation of social welfare and development programs and services.

Provision of preventive, protective, rehabilitative and developmental programs and services.

VALUES
Respect for Human Dignity

Integrity

Service Excellence

FUNCTIONS
Formulates policies and plans which provide direction to intermediaries and other implementers in the development and delivery of social welfare and development services.

Develops and enriches existing programs and services for specific groups, such as children and youth, women, family and communities, solo parents, older persons and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs);

Registers, licenses and accredits individuals, agencies and organizations engaged in social welfare and development services, sets standards and monitors the empowerment and compliance to these standards.

Provides technical assistance and capability building to intermediaries; and

Provides social protection of the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged sector, DSWD also gives augmentation funds to local government units so these could deliver SWD services to depressed municipalities and barangays and provide protective services to individuals, families and communities in crisis situation.