Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian said government social welfare programs are open to all Filipinos in times of crisis, regardless of socio-economic status.
In a live interview with Radyo Pilipinas Laoag on Thursday, July 2, Gatchalian said some Filipinos mistakenly believe they cannot seek DSWD assistance if they are not poor.
“Ang social welfare naman, hindi naman iyan para sa mahirap lamang. Minsan iniisip nila: hindi sila puwedeng lumapit sa DSWD pag may kaya sila; baligtad ho. Tulad ng sinabi ko, ang social welfare ay para sa lahat. Sa oras ng pangangailangan, sa oras ng krisis, dapat yung gobyerno mo ay nandun kahit sino ka man, basta Pilipino ka,” Gatchalian said.
He said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed agencies to ensure that government programs are implemented quickly, effectively, and inclusively.
“Ang utos at direktiba ng ating Pangulo ay napakasimple lamang, patatagin ang mga programa, siguraduhin na mabilis na makarating sa tao, at siguraduhin na epektibo ang mga programa,” he said.
Gatchalian made the statement during his visit to Batac, Ilocos Norte, for a DSWD Convergence Mission aimed at checking the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the Sustainable Livelihood Program.
He also held a “kumustahan” session with beneficiaries and field workers to gather feedback on DSWD services.
“Bahagi ng mandato ng ating Pangulong BBM is to make sure na ang development ay hindi lang sa mga siyudad, kundi ang DSWD ay nasa malalayong lugar din. So nandito tayo sa Ilocos kasi part ito ng routine natin na puntahan ang iba’t ibang mga probinsya para ma-monitor natin yung mga programa ng DSWD,” Gatchalian said.
During the visit, Gatchalian went to the Batac Public Market to meet Aldrich Anthony Rivera, a Sustainable Livelihood Program beneficiary who was referred by the Department of Justice-Ilocos Norte Parole and Probation Office in 2023.
Rivera received ₱15,000 in livelihood assistance to start an empanada business as part of efforts to help him rebuild his life and support his family.
Gatchalian also observed “FDS Session 9: Tamang Nutrisyon ng Pamilya” at the Quiling Sur New Barangay Hall, part of efforts to improve the 4Ps Family Development Session curriculum.
The session focused on teaching 4Ps beneficiaries how to prepare age-specific meals that meet the nutritional needs of their families, based on the Pinggang Pinoy nutrition guide.
Gatchalian also met with 4Ps parent-leaders and field implementers, including city and municipal links, to gather recommendations on how to improve program delivery.
He said the discussions produced inputs on how to strengthen the Family Development Session, particularly in helping parents respond to new challenges involving media, technology, bullying, and online influences.
“May sinabi sila kanina na maganda. Tinuturuan naman natin sila na maging magaling na mga parents, pero in light of what’s happening in our country na may mga impluwensya kaliwa’t kanan from internet to bullying – yung mga new age problems – sabi nila, sana may mas paglalalim. And, iyan yung gagawin namin, na hindi na sapat maging magulang, kundi dapat maging magaling na magulang sa ganitong mga panahon,” Gatchalian told reporters.
He said the government must also strengthen the family as a social unit and help parents guide, discipline, and support their children amid changing social conditions.
“Sa pag-usad ng mundo dahil sa teknolohiya, nagbabago yung mga challenges na hinaharap ng mga magulang, yung mga hinaharap ng mga pamilya. We have to make sure na equipped sila na makipagsabayan,” Gatchalian said.