PBBM to DSWD: Be consistent, stay vigilant vs. modern challenges

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday commended the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for saving lives, bringing hope, and demonstrating the true power of compassion. (PCO Photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday called on the officials and employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to be consistent in fulfilling their mandate and remain vigilant against “modern” challenges such as climate change.

This, as he heaped praises on the DSWD during its 74th anniversary celebration at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City for its steadfast commitment to serving the Filipino people, especially those belonging to the vulnerable and marginalized sectors.

“Your vision is simple and profound: to build a resilient, inclusive society where no one is left behind. Time and again, we have seen how that vision translates into action—whether in the swift distribution of aid after a typhoon, the consistent support for struggling families, or the enduring commitment to sectors often overlooked by society,” Marcos told the DSWD audience.

“Our mission does not end here. It has really just begun. Lasting change is not built overnight—it takes consistent, and honest, and dedicated effort. Every single centavo spent, every program that is implemented, every decision that has been made must serve a very clear purpose: to create opportunities that endure, that uplift, and reach far beyond just today,” he added.

Marcos lauded the DSWD for launching new initiatives such as the Harmonized Electronic License and Permit System (HELPS), Minors Traveling Abroad (MTA) System, and the Pamilya sa Bagong Pilipinas Program, saying these reflect a “government that listens, responds, [and] evolves to meet the needs of its people.”

HELPS serves as the platform that streamlines the application processes for licenses and permits, making it faster for stakeholders to access DSWD services.

As part of HELPS, the MTA system modernizes travel clearance processing for Filipino minors.

During the event, the DSWD also formally launched a new rights-based, family-oriented and inclusive development model for Filipino families dubbed “Pamilya sa Bagong Pilipinas.”

The model features various transitions of family life across different life stages and integrates economic, social and cultural support to help Filipino families grow and thrive while meeting their diverse needs and goals, all anchored in the administration’s priority to enhance the well-being and strengthen the resilience of Filipino families.

Marcos also emphasized the importance of proper utilization of the Quick Response Fund to ensure “swift and effective” disaster response, considering that the “more frequent [and] more severe” natural disasters leave communities at greater risk.

“At this juncture, let me recognize the steadfast efforts of the DSWD. Your courage, particularly during the recent spate of calamities, has been nothing short of extraordinary. ‘Ika nga (As they say), you are the first to respond but the last to sleep. While others sought shelter from the storm, you walked into the chaos to deliver relief,” he said.

“You have saved lives, brought hope, and demonstrated the true power of compassion. For that, the country is grateful.  For that, your President is grateful.

Marcos also praised the DSWD for being a “better” organization, offering programs that have helped improve the Filipinos’ lives, including the 4Ps, the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), and the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens.

He noted that in 2024, an estimated 678,000 families of over four million 4Ps beneficiaries already achieved “self-sufficiency”, nearly 271,000 households benefited from SLP, and some 4.3 million senior citizens received social pensions.

“Since your establishment, this institution has been a steady, reassuring presence for many, many, many Filipinos through countless generations. You have provided not just assistance – but behind that assistance, you have also provided hope—to families rising from hardships, to communities devastated by calamities, to individuals who need to feel that their government is there by their side ready to assist,” Marcos said.

“To my fellow Filipinos: The success of these programs does not rest on the shoulders of the DSWD alone. It requires our collective determination, support, and our effort. Let us build a Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines), a nation where every citizen has a chance to dream, to strive, to succeed. A country where compassion is not merely a value, but a way of life. A Philippines where no one gets left behind.”