BAGUIO CITY – – The Regional Development Council, through the Regional Social Development Committee chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD – CAR) is strengthening public–private partnerships for Cordillera family welfare.
The DSWD spearheaded a multi – sectoral and inter – agency consultation activity at Venus Parkview Hotel here on Nov. 6 to 8, attended by around 160 participants representing the sector of women, children, youth, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and solo parents, and concerned regional line agencies.
The activity aimed to look into what more socio–development concerns that the government, in partnership with the different sectors of society in the region, need to focus on to ensure social welfare and at the same time bring development to every family in the Cordillera especially in the geographically isolated and displaced areas, explained DSWD – CAR Regional Director Janet Armas.
The participants were updated on present government programs, projects and activities on social welfare, health, education and housing.
The Philippine Statistics Authority also shared the results of the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey while the Department of Health gave a briefing on Adolescent Health and Development Program Framework (focusing on teenage pregnancy interventions). The Juvenile Justice Welfare Council presented the non – lowering of the minimum age with criminal responsibility.
Consultation participants were also enjoined into workshops to look into the concerns of communities that still need to be addressed and on how the government and the private sector can work together in addressing such.
There are already existing government programs and services available for the sectors of women, children, youth, senior citizens, PWDs and solo parents, though this time we want to look into the Cordillera family welfare as a whole, on what other concerns that need to be addressed, Armas added.
To focus more on the involved sectors of society, DSWD in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency Cordillera Regional Office also conducted a kapihan media forum with representatives of associations and federation officials of women, children, youth, senior citizens and solo parents as panelists, to talk on how government programs and services can help them and on what they still need in terms of social welfare and development. **JDP/CCD-PIA CAR
