DSWD to Filipinos: 4Ps is just one of our many programs for you

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) urged the public, especially the poor, to avail of other social protection programs and services of the agency other than the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

“We are doing our best to promote the other programs of the DSWD that are not conditional and do not have long-term requirements from its beneficiaries. Madami pang ibang mga programa ang kagawaran para sa mga mahihirap nating kababayang nangangailangan ng tulong(There are other social protection programs in DSWD that Filipinos can benefit from),” DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said.

Sec. Taguiwalo explained that the DSWD is currently intensifying its communications efforts to inform the public about its other social protection programs that are available to Filipinos. This was also a reaction to the results of the Pulse Asia survey in December 2016 that revealed that there was low public awareness when it came to the other major programs and services of the DSWD such as the the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Foster Care, and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

On the other hand, the Pulse Asia survey reported that given the survey’s margin of error, awareness of the 4Ps program is universal at 98 percent.

Sec. Taguiwalo further said that the survey results showed areas of improvement which the Department is already working on.

She also said that the DSWD conducts information caravan to respond to this.

“Kaya nga ang ating panukala sa Communications group natin ay palakasin ang pag-aabot ng impormasyon sa lahat ng kababayan natin. Nais natin na lahat ng nangangailangan ay magkaroon ng pantay na pagkakataong makahingi ng tulong. Paano sila lalapit kung hindi naman nila alam kung ano ang meron? Parte ng pagmamalasakit natin sa serbisyo ang maipaabot ang tulong ng DSWD, lalo’t higit duon sa mga mahirap puntahan (I asked our Communication’s group to strengthen the information dissemination campaign so that the public will have equal opportunities to avail of assistance from DSWD. Part of compassionate service is to ensure that the right assistance is provided to those in need, especially in hard to reach areas).”

She especially mentioned the AICS and the livelihood program, which every family in need can avail of when they follow the requirements that are easy to secure and follow.

High approval rating

The December Pulse Asia survey results also served as an affirmation that the DSWD’s new mantra of May Malasakit, Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo is not pure lip service but backed by performance.
Only six months in public service at the time of the survey, the results showed that a large majority of Filipinos (79 percent) approved of the performance of the agency.

The said approval rating is essentially unchanged since the previous quarter (being 77percent) but is higher than the level a year ago, which was 72 percent as per the Pulse Asia survey from December 4-11, 2015.

More Pinoys aware of Sec. Taguiwalo

The December 2016 Pulse Asia survey also showed a 70 percent awareness rating for Sec. Taguiwalo, which is noticeably higher than the 61 percent in the September 2016 rating.

This means that more Filipinos become more aware of Sec. Taguiwalo as she continues to lead the DSWD in providing “pantay at may malasakit na serbisyo na walang puwang sa katiwalian” (fair and compassionate service that gives no room for corruption).

The survey also mentioned that among those aware of Sec. Taguiwalo, majority (65 percent) approved of her performance. She is statistically tied with two other cabinet members for the highest approval rating among the eight cabinet members who were performance-rated in the survey.

“It is humbling to know that people recognize our service. Although the leadership is the one rated in surveys like this, I would like to emphasize that this is a team effort. I give credit to all the employees of DSWD for being relentless in their goal of providing public service to the poor, disadvantaged and marginalized,” Sec. Taguiwalo said.

Furthermore, the Secretary stressed that more than the praises and recognition, the DSWD, under her leadership, also welcomes suggestions, and even criticisms. She noted, however, that it would be best that criticisms be accompanied by recommendations on how to improve public service. ###

DSWD Website

http://www.dswd.gov.ph/

links:

http://www.dswd.gov.ph/dswd-to-filipinos-4ps-is-just-one-of-our-many-programs-for-you/