The Reception and Study Center for Children recently celebrated its 27^th founding anniversary and Family Day for its residents and staff.

The Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC)is another center of DSWD that provides protection, treatment and rehabilitation and eventual alternative placement to children below 0 to below 7 years of age who are abandoned, neglected, abused, and exploited.

For 27 years of operation, the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) has been serving and helping children in need of special protection by finding a home through foster care and permanent placement through adoption.  While at RSCC, the developmental aspects of every child were appropriately addressed through the interventions made by the multi-disciplinary team.

The celebration started off with a thanksgiving Mass held at RSCC Conference Room.  Center residents and staff also  had their  outdoor activity at Del Carmen Beach Resort in Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental.  It provided an avenue for RSCC residents and staff to relax and unwind while enjoying the beauty of nature.  There was a showcase of talents through dance and song presentations.  Parlor games were also facilitated as well as the recognition and awarding of best center staff.

Other highlights of the Anniversary celebration included a consultation dialogue and case conference with counterparts from different Municipal /City Social Welfare and Development Officers, concerning cases of children referred to the Reception and Study Center for Children.  Issues and concerns raised were thoroughly discussed and provided with technical assistance.

Part of the celebration was also the Baptism of 9 children residents  held in St. Francis Xavier Church, Pueblo de Oro, Cagayan de Oro City.

Written by Faith M. Sabulana/Mitzie Sarballon-Santiago, DSWD

The Department of Social Welfare and Development through the National Household Targeting Unit and some selected employees, actively participated in the Opening of the 27^th National Statistics Month.

With this year’s theme, “Sustainable Development: Making Statistics Count”, a motorcade around the major streets in the city was conducted as a kick-off activity to start the month- long celebration. It was spearheaded by the Philippine Statistics Authority 10 , in coordination with other partner Agencies and Local Civil Registrars and officials from invited Local Government Units in the region.

The National Statistics Month (NSM) was first observed in 1990 pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 647 signed by then President Corazon C. Aquino on September 20, 1990, declaring the Month of October of Every Year as the National Statistics Month.

This was then followed by a Regional Data Dissemination Forum. Regional Director Eddie Nasol gave the background of the 2015 Census of Population.   Other highlights of the said forum were the discussions on the Results of the 2015 Population Count, Population Density Profile, and Population Counts by Legislative Districts in the region.

Other discussants also included significant figures from the academe.  They were Ms. Gerasol Lourdes Mugot (Focal Person, POPCEN 2015), Director JeremiasGupit (Regional Director ,POPCOM 10), Dr. Imelda Pagtulon-an (Director, Capitol University Research & Extension Office, and Dr. Dixon Yasay (Director, Xavier University- Governance & Leadership Institute) .

Mayor Oscar Moreno of Cagayan de Oro, also graced the said event.

Hanging of tarpaulins and streamers bearing the theme of the National Statistics Month celebration within the premises of the Department also formed part in the participation of the Agency for the said month-long celebration.

Written by Mitzie Sarballon-Santiago,DSWD

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – National Community Driven Development (Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP) staff, volunteers, and stakeholders gather during the Ground Breaking ceremony at Barangay Pook, Talisayan, Misamis Oriental for the Construction of 205 Ln.M Flood Control Structure. Talisayan volunteers also signed a pledge of commitment where they signified support to all Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP activities and commit to their duties as volunteers. The total project cost is PhP 3,216,145.00 with PhP 430,500.00 local community counterpart from the Barangay Local Government Unit and PhP 94,364.00 from the Municipal Local Government Unit.

Photos by Judee Mae Cabanag, KC-NCDDP Area Coordinator,Talisayan, Misamis Oriental

The “datus” and “baes” who are Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives of each barangay in the Municipality of Impasugong, Bukidnon, performed a ritual called the “singampo” to accept the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – National Community Driven Development (Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP) Area Coordinating Team (ACT) into the municipality. This was after the ACT conducted the Municipal Orientation. The Municipal Orientation is the first of 16 steps for a Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP cycle, which is also the program launching in the municipal level. Before any KC project can be built, the community undergoes a social preparation consisting of 4 stages including the Barangay Orientation, Participatory Situation Analysis (PSA) and the validation of the PSA results. The PSA aims to establish a common understanding of the current situation of the area. It extensively analyses and describes the expectations, current socio-economic and political situation as well as the other needs/problems of the community. The data generated by the PSA are used as bases for identifying community development problems and priorities and in planning for appropriate interventions. 

Photos by Kelvin Wu, KC-NCDDP Area Coordinator, Impasugong, Bukidnon

With this year’s theme, “Matatag na Pamilya, Maunlad na Bukas, the Filipino Family Week celebration culminated with a closing program  in one of the malls recently.

Spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and in coordination with partner and member organizations of the Regional Inter-Agency Committee for Filipino Family (RIAC-FF), various activities were conducted to celebrate the 24^th Anniversary Week for Filipino Families.

As stipulated in proclamation No. 60 signed on September 28, 1992 and Executive Order No. 241 dated June 9, 1995, it is a policy of the government to fortify solidarity in the family and actively work for its total development.  Hence, there is a need to call public attention and ensure nationwide awareness on the importance of the family.  In support to this endeavor, the Proclamation provides that the last week of the month of September of every year thereafter shall be declared as the observance of the National Family Week celebration.

Kick –off activity was the Mass held at the Cathedral Church of Cagayan de Oro. Other highlight of the week-long celebration was the Wellness Forum and the Blood Letting activity participated in by selected staff and members of the Latter Day Saints and Rotary Club of Kalayaan (CDO Chapter).

In his inspirational message, Mr. Martin Canguit,  ( General Administrative Support Services Division Chief)  who represented  Regional Director Nestor Ramos,hoped that through the annual celebration, Filipino families will be encouraged and inspired  to do their part in ensuring that every member of the family will realize their significant role in the development and progress of the society where they belong.  He also extended gratitude and thanks in bvehalf of the DSWD family to all who actively supported and participated in the Filipino Family Week celebration and looks forward to a continuous partnership with them.

Written by  Mitzie Sarballon-Santiago, DSWD