DSWD to ‘level up service’ amid disasters

Cebu Daily News Editorial Assistant Tito Tan and correspondent Victor Silva (2nd and 3rd from left), receive the Most Supportive Newspaper award from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Others in photo are DSWD Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat (fifth from left) and Asst. Regional Director Nemia Antipala (right). (Contributed photo)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office  marked its 63rd anniversary with a commitment to deliver “faster, smarter and better” service to the public.

During their anniversary celebration at the Crown Regency Hotel in barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City yesterday, Asst. Regional Director Nemia Antipala quoted Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman, who described 2014 as “the year of new challenges.”

“The string of natural calamities experienced by the country last year represented the new normal and the DSWD must level up and rise to these challenges,” Antipala said.

The agency also honored organizations and agencies for their support to the government’s rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Among the awardees was Cebu Daily News which was cited by the agency as the “Most Supportive Newspaper” for running the most stories featuring DSWD’s services last year.

“I hope that our partnership and solidarity will continue as we offer hope to all disadvantaged sectors, especially those affected by calamities,” said DSWD Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat.

Groups that received the “Salamat Po” award were the International Organization for Migration, Negrense Marine Integrated Services, Helping Hands, Young Men’s Christian Association of Cebu (YMCA) and shipping companies like 2GO, Gothong Southern Shipping Lines and Lite Shipping. Also receiving recognition were Asilo dela Milagrosa Inc., Bohol Federation of Disabled Persons, Tzu Chi Foundation Cebu, Cebu Doctors’ University Department of Rehabilitation Sciences,  Maritime Industry Authority and Rotary Club of Cebu West, among others.

Other media outlets that received recognition were ABS-CBN (most supportive TV station), dyRC: Radyo Calungsod (most supportive radio station), Jun Berongan (most supportive broadcast reporter for radio) and Phoebe Jen Indino (most supportive reporter in print media).

The DSWD’s 63rd anniversary celebration carried the theme “DSWD@63: Kaagapay sa Pagbangon at Bagong Simula (Your Partner in Recovery and New Beginnings). /With Editorial Assistant Tito P. Tan