DSWD: Department of Social Welfare and Development Philippines

Filipinos in the Philippines can access various social welfare programs through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). This government agency is responsible for providing assistance to individuals and families who are in need, particularly those who are living below the poverty line.

As the executive department of the country responsible for upholding the welfare of its citizens, DSWD plays an important role in promoting social development and empowering marginalized communities. It has a wide range of services that aim to improve the quality of life of vulnerable Filipinos.

Table of Contents

Vision

DSWD envisions a society where the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged are empowered for an improved quality of life. Below is their full Vision Statement:

DSWD envisions an empowered and resilient society where Filipinos enjoy an improved quality of life, are free from hunger, poverty, abuse, and exploitation, have equitable access to development opportunities, enabled by a fair, just, and peaceful governance.

Mission

At the heart of its mission is a deep-seated advocacy for service delivery that is transparent and accountable, with a focus on capacitating partners and stakeholders for the collective betterment of Filipino lives. Below is their full Mission Statement:

As the authority in the social welfare and development sector, the DSWD shall develop and advocate policies, plans, standards and responsive programs, capacitate partners, and empower stakeholders for a more accessible, efficient, effective, and accountable service delivery.

Core Values

The DSWD upholds core values that encompass Respect for Human Dignity, Integrity, and Service Excellence.

Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo
Serbisyong Walang Puwang sa Katiwalian

Patas na Pagtrato sa Komunidad

Objectives

DSWD aims to reduce poverty by facilitating integrated and coordinated social welfare and development programs. The department seeks to implement protective services that prevent and alleviate social and economic disadvantages and crises. They prioritize the marginalized, vulnerable, and disadvantaged sectors, including the poor, the females, the elderlies, and children.

Logo of DSWD

What to Expect

As a Filipino citizen, you can expect assistance and services from DSWD in the following areas:

Social Protection Programs
Disaster Response and Risk Reduction Programs
Community Empowerment Programs
Sustainable Livelihood Programs
Rehabilitation and Social Welfare Services
Protective Services for Children, Women, Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)

In simple terms, DSWD is dedicated to providing complete and inclusive services that cater to the different needs of Filipinos. They collaborate with local government units, non-government organizations, and other partners to ensure a more comprehensive approach in delivering these services.

Common Programs

DSWD provides a diverse range of services, from emergency assistance to long-term poverty alleviation programs. They are responsible for services including disaster response, institutional development, social protection program implementation, and regulatory tasks. Some of them include:

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps): A human development program that invests in the health and education of poor households, particularly of children aged 0-18 years old.
Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP): Provides identified participants the appropriate income-generating opportunities through micro-enterprise development and employment facilitation.
Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS): A community-driven development program that aims to empower communities through social infrastructure, capacity building, and local economic development projects.
Listahanan: A data management system that identifies who and where the poor are in the country. It serves as a reference for better social protection programs and prioritization.
Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS): Provides financial assistance to individuals or families experiencing crisis situations like natural disasters, death of a family member, or medical emergencies.
Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens: Provides financial assistance to senior citizens who are 60 years old and above who are frail, sickly, or with a disability.
Supplemental Feeding Program: Provides hot meals to undernourished children in daycares, kindergarten, and elementary schools.
Educational Assistance: Provides financial assistance to students from low-income families to support their education.
Medical Assistance: Provides financial assistance to individuals with illnesses or disabilities who need medical treatment but are unable to afford it.
Funeral/Burial Assistance: Provides financial assistance to bereaved families for the burial expenses of their deceased family members.
Cash for Work Program: Provides temporary employment opportunities to individuals through community-based projects.’
Social Pension Program for Solo Parents: Provides financial assistance to solo parents who are unemployed, with a low monthly income, or with a disability.
Recovery and Reintegration Program: Assists individuals and families who have experienced trauma and abuse by providing psychological interventions, legal assistance, medical services, and other support services.

How to Avail of Services

DSWD provides various services that can be availed through different channels, including:

Regional and Field Offices: DSWD has 17 Regional Offices and over 200 Field Offices nationwide. These offices are equipped to provide direct assistance and implement programs at the local level. You may check the list of DSWD office branches here and contact your local office for inquiries.
Online Services: Some DSWD services, such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, can be accessed and monitored through online portals. You should follow the official Facebook Pages of each Regional Office to get updates on the online services available in your region.
Hotline Number: DSWD provides hotline numbers for immediate assistance. These include Smart numbers: 0943-4648026 and 0943-4648086, as well as Globe numbers: 0995-7153926 and 0995-7153934. In addition to these new numbers, the previously active hotlines are still accessible: 0932-9333251 for calls and 0918912281 for text messages.

Partner Philippine Agencies

Sometimes there are Philippine government programs where DSWD collaborates with other agencies to deliver services. Some of these agencies include:

Philippine National Police (PNP): DSWD works with PNP in implementing programs that cater to families of uniformed personnel, such as PNP orphans and missing persons’ search and rescue.

Department of Health (DOH): DSWD partners with DOH for programs on health care access, mental health services, advocacy against substance abuse, and health insurance.

Department of Education (DepEd): DSWD works with DepEd for the implementation and monitoring of programs related to education such as the school-based feeding program and educational assistance for students from low-income families.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG): DSWD partners with DILG in the implementation of KALAHI-CIDSS and other community-driven development programs.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA): DSWD works with NEDA to ensure that social protection policies are aligned with national economic and development plans.

Local Government Units (LGUs): DSWD collaborates with LGUs in implementing programs at the local level and ensuring that services reach the intended beneficiaries.

Involvement Opportunities

The DSWD encourages citizen involvement in promoting social welfare and development. Individuals, organizations, and communities can participate in the following ways:

Volunteer: DSWD has volunteer programs that provide opportunities for individuals to contribute their time, skills, and resources to help those in need.
Partnership: Organizations can partner with DSWD to implement projects or provide assistance to marginalized sectors.
Donation: The department accepts donations, in cash or in kind, to be used for its programs and services.
Advocacy: Spread awareness about the DSWD’s programs and services and advocate for social welfare rights and protection of the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged individuals and families.

Video: DSWD Department of the Philippines Explained

Here’s a video uploaded on YouTube which explains the role and responsibilities of DSWD in the Philippines. It also highlights some of their major programs and services, its history and its impact on the lives of Filipinos.

Final Thoughts

As you can now see, the Department of Social Welfare and Development is aimed to help underprivileged individuals and families in the Philippines. With its diverse range of services, the department is continuously working towards poverty alleviation and promoting social welfare rights. It is important for citizens to be aware of these programs and services as well as how they can get involved to make a positive impact in their communities.

Let us all work hand-in-hand with DSWD in building a more inclusive and compassionate society for all. Let us lend a helping hand to those in need and spread awareness about the department’s programs and services. Together, we can create a more equitable and sustainable future for our country.