Day: June 19, 2023

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has forged a partnership with the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and the ASEAN Social Work Consortium-Philippines (ASWC-PH) to strengthen the social work practice in the country through the creation of the DSWD Academy. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, UPOU Chancellor Melinda DP. Bandalaria and the official representatives of ASWC-PH member associations signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Monday as the country celebrates the 2023 Filipino Social Workers’ Day at the Social Welfare and Development Center for the Asia and the Pacific (SWADCAP) Compound in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. The DSWD Academy is a product of Gatchalian’s innovation intended to improve and develop the skills and knowledge of the Department’s social workers in the delivery of services to the needy. Under the agreement, the member-organizations of ASWC-PH and the UPOU will serve as the learning service providers for the DSWD Academy as well as partners of the Department in providing technical assistance to social welfare and development intermediaries and other stakeholders. In his speech during the Social Workers’ Day celebration, Gatchalian said the establishment of the DSWD Academy is just one of their plans to keep Filipino social workers responsive amid the ever-changing landscape of the social welfare practice. ‘There has to be a continuing learning facility in the department or in the country that foster specialized training for social workers, continuing learning ninyo, kasi (for you all because) the world does not stop, it keeps on evolving,’ he said. Gatchalian underscored the importance of the Academy in this day and age where ‘there are new technologies out there in terms of social protection, disaster camp management.’ Part of the Academy’s thrust is the empowerment of social welfare assistants, including those who work at the local government units (LGUs) as social welfare aides, and early childhood development workers, among others, to learn the skill sets of social workers. ‘While we are developing and fostering upgraded skills for social workers, we are also empowering social welfare assistants and private individuals who are conducting social work practice,’ Gatchalian said. Expansion of benefits Aside from learning and development, the DSWD is also advocating for the expansion of the privileges and benefits of social workers. Assistant Secretary Janet Armas discussed the updates on Republic Act No. 9433, the law which provides for an increase in the compensation and benefits of social workers in the government service. During the program, Gatchalian expressed his gratitude to the social workers, ‘who dedicate their lives in making a positive difference in our communities, by ensuring that the social welfare and development programs and services are well-implemented.’ ‘Our social workers got through all of these things day in and day out but yet, they still do it and they do it with so much love and so much care,’ he said. He led the recognition of exemplary social workers and social work organization during the 2023 Filipino Social Workers Day celebration. The awards include the 2023 Gawad Parangal Sa Natatanging Manggagawang Panlipunan and Gawad Parangal Sa Natatanging Asosasyon Ng Manggagawang Panlipunan. The celebration was attended by social workers from across the country and from the different member organizations of ASWC-PH including The National Association for Social Work Education, Inc. (NASWEI), The Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines, Inc. (ALSWDOPI) and the Philippine Association of Court Social Workers, Inc. (PACSWI). Present during the celebration were the representatives from the Association of Child Caring Agencies of the Philippines, Inc. (ACCAP), DOH League of Medical Social Workers (DOH-LMSW), Association of Medical Social Workers of the Philippines (AMSWPI), Association of DSWD Social Workers, Inc (ADSWI), National Council of Social Development (NCSD), and the Area Based Standards Network (ABSNET).

Source: Philippines News Agency

John Gerard Acedo of Davao City was crowned champion in the 9th edition of the Kamatyas FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Invitational tournament held at the Ace Center Point in Koronadal City, South Cotabato last June 17. Acede and Jayson Saludre of Panabo City, Davao del Norte finished with identical 7.0 points but the former won for having the highest tiebreak points. ‘I am very happy because winning this tough Kamatyas event is one of my dreams. I dedicate this to my family, to my friends and to all my supporters,” said Acedo who took home PHP30,000 in cash and a trophy. He defeated Nick Danuel Pabroquez (1st round), Cipriano Magalso (2nd round), Rafael Toredes (3rd round), Jhonnel Balquin (4th round), Rhynan Arce (5th round), Aglipay Oberio (6th round) and Dillon Intila (7th round). Salubre, on the other hand, downed Francic Septian Dela Cruz, Garry Carcallas, Jade Anipan, Vic Michael Artieda, Japheth Aaron Caresosa, Mhyl Crese Wayne Patrimonio and Carl Zirez Sato to settle for the PHP10,000 runner-up purse. John Christian Lesaca and Julius Silvederio had similar 6.5 points, while Jezreel Lopez, Carl Zirez Sato, Erich Von Requilman Jr., Anthony Mosqueda, Melchor Arcenas Jr., Jhonnel Balquin, Jeriel Manlimbana, Robert Toledo, Joe Ralph Santillan and NM Henry Roger Lopez finished with 6.0 points. A total of 287 players competed in the event organized by International Master Roderick Nava and NM David Almirol of Kamatyas Chess Club in cooperation with Joselito Dormitorio and Mark John Centillo. Byron Gabrentina Villar served as chief arbiter. (

Source: Philippines News Agency

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to construct water impounding facilities in areas outside Metro Manila would help farmers a lot particularly during the dry season, a top official of the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said on Monday. During the Laging Handa public briefing, NWRB executive director Sevillo David Jr. said the construction of water impounding facilities would also help reduce flood damage, as well as provide water sources for the agriculture sector that would, in turn, increase agricultural productivity. “Malaki po ang maitutulong ng mga ito, unang-una po sa pagbabawas sa posibleng epekto ng pagbaha at sa isang banda, ay makakatulong din iyon kapag na-impound natin iyong mga tubig ay puwede pong magamit mapakinabangan particular po sa sektor ng agrikultura (This would be helpful, first of all, reduce the impact of flooding and also the impounded waters could also be beneficial particularly for the agriculture sector),” David said. He said the NWRB is coordinating with the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to integrate the flood control programs of the government. “Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa direktibang binigay po ng ating Pangulo tungkol sa mga water impounding facilities. Sa tingin po natin ay itong mga pasilidad na ito ay sila pong makakatulong sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon natin para mapangalagaan iyong mga pangangailangan po natin sa mga tubig, particular po kapag panahon ng tag-init. (We are grateful for the President’s directive regarding these water impounding facilities. We think these facilities would help with our current situation to ensure enough water supply, especially during the dry season),” he said. Last week, Marcos bared his administration’s plan to build ‘large’ water impounding facilities outside of Metro Manila to control flooding in the country’s metropolis. He said the impounded water could also be used for agricultural purposes. ‘Huwag natin naman sana tinatapon ‘yung tubig dahil kailangan na natin iyang tubig na iyan. So, gumagawa rin kami ng paraan para maipon ang tubig. Naghahanap ngayon kami ng mga lugar sa labas ng Maynila kung saan puwedeng maglagay ng mga malaki or large na impounding areas (Let us not waste the water because we will need that. That’s why we are also looking for a way to impound the water. We are now looking for areas outside Metro Manila where we can build large impounding areas),’ Marcos said. Marcos has also directed the WRMO to come up with a ‘comprehensive’ plan to protect coastal communities and Metro Manila from flooding. David reiterated the NWRB’s appeal to the public to continue saving water amid reports that water levels in Angat Dam and five other dams continued to drop despite rains experienced last week in many parts of the country. ‘Sa tingin po natin ang publiko po ay malaki rin po ang maitutulong sa pagma-manage ng supply po natin partikular sa mga reservoir kagaya ng Angat Dam sa tamang paggamit po at mas responsable at pagtitipid po ng tubig sa ating mga pangangailangan (I think the public has a big role in managing the supply of our reservoirs like Angat Dam through proper and responsible use of water for our needs),’ he said. Higher water allocation He said the NWRB’s decision to maintain the current higher water allocation of 52 cubic meters per second (cms) for Metro Manila would not affect the ongoing efforts to conserve water ahead of the impact of the El Niño phenomenon. David said the agency approved the request of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to extend the increased water allocation from the Angat-Ipo-La Mesa water system until June 30 under certain conditions. David noted that among these conditions include intensifying efforts to address water leakage and supporting water conservation efforts. “Kasama po sa mga kondisyon ay iyong mga pagpapalawig po at paigtingin iyong efforts po ng MWSS at mga konsesyonaryo para po maka-recover iyong mga tubig sa sistema po nila na lumalabas po sa mga tagas, iyong mga leakages po. At iyon pong mga pag-maintain po noong paggamit po ng kanilang water treatment facilities, kung puwede pong i-maximize ito (One of the conditions is strengthening efforts by the MWSS and water concessionaires to restore water loss from leaking pipes. Using water treatment facilities should also be maximized and maintained),” David said. David said the water level in Angat Dam, which is the major source of water in Metro Manila, is at 186 meters or considered normal operating level. The 52 cms allocation was supposed to ease to 50 cms for the MWSS for the June 16 to 30 period, but the NWRB approved its extension. “Ito pong kasalukuyang extension masasabi po nating hindi naman po makaka-apekto masyado ito at nakikipagtulungan din po tayo sa MWSS para po mapa-igting iyong efforts nila (This current extension would not greatly affect [the government’s water conservation efforts] and we are also collaborating with the MWSS to strengthen their efforts),” David said. David, however, said the NWRB would have to reduce water supply to MWSS, which has concession deals with Manila Water and Maynilad, as the threat of El Niño looms and in preparation for the supply needs of Metro Manila next year. He pointed out that rainfall during the previous weeks had not been sufficient to considerably increase the water level in Angat Dam. In June, Malacañang directed all national government agencies and instrumentalities to ensure the strict implementation of water conservation measures to thwart the possible shortage of supply amid the looming El Niño phenomenon.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Police arrested on Monday a drug suspect who yielded PHP6.8 million worth of shabu during a buy-bust operation in Barangay San Vicente, Cawayan town in Masbate province, the Police Regional Office-Bicol (PRO-5) said. Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, PRO-5 spokesperson, identified the suspect as Edgar Adolfo, 43, of Barangay Arado in Uson, Masbate. “He was arrested while trading shabu to a police undercover. Confiscated during the operation were one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet and one block vacuum-sealed transparent plastic eco bag wrapped around packaging tape,” she said. Calubaquib said the police operation resulted in the seizure of 1.005 kilograms of shabu from the suspect’s possession with an estimated value of PHP6.8 million. “The arrested suspect and confiscated pieces of evidence are now under the custody of Cawayan Municipal Police Station while cases for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 are being prepared against him,” she said.

Source: Philippines News Agency