Thank you very much, Usec. Ed Punay, for your kind introduction. [Please take your seats.]

Atty. Mans Carpio who is here in the stead of our Vice President and Secretary of the Department of Education, Vice President Inday Sara; Usec. Maria Salome Navarro and other DPWH undersecretaries; the Quezon City District Engineer Loida Busa; fellow workers in government; other distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

It is a great pleasure and honor to join you today in celebrating the 72nd Anniversary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the inauguration and ceremonial turn-over of your new Multi-Purpose Building.

I would like to begin by acknowledging the presence of Atty. Mans here in this event and the DSWD Officer-in-Charge Ed Punay, and all the officials and employees of this extremely important department. [applause]

Today, we recognize and take pride in this institution’s stability and reliability.  For over 70 years, the DSWD has remained unwavering in your mission to improve the lives of every Filipino, especially those who are in distress, those who are in danger, and those who we can see are disadvantaged.

In fact, your dedication has proven vital to the success of this noble institution and this noble work that you do for our people. And that is why I join the entire Filipino people in expressing our gratitude for your continued excellence in rendering public service.

Alam ko na kung minsan ang pakiramdam ninyo dahil kayo ay kung nasaan – nasaan pinapapunta na malalayo na hindi kinikilala ang inyong trabaho. Huwag niyo pong isipin ‘yun. Kinikilala at nagpapasalamat ang madlang Pilipino sa inyong mga ginagawa. And although we do not do it often enough, I must remind you today that you have been, especially in the pandemic, that the DSWD has been the lifeline for millions and millions of Filipinos. [applause]

Ang dami ninyong – sa inyong sipag sa inyong trabaho ang dami ninyong natulungan. Kung hindi sa tulong ng DSWD, kung hindi sa ating mga ibinigay na TUPAD, na AICS na hanggang ngayon ay ibinibigay pa rin natin, iyong 4Ps, kung hindi diyan ay marami siguro sa ating mga kababayan ang nasawi ng pandemya.

Kaya’t huwag niyo pong iisipin na kahit – kahit kayo ay… Ginagawa lang ninyo ang trabaho ninyo at kung minsan ang pakiramdam ninyo ay walang nakakakita sa inyong ginagawa. Kahit walang nakakakita sa inyong nagagawa, nararamdaman ng lahat ang inyong trabaho, ang inyong tulong, at ang inyong sakripisyo. [applause]  Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyo.

Through your efforts and sacrifices, we have made inroads in reducing poverty, in reducing hunger, and towards achieving upper-middle income status by 2025.

Maliwanag din sa akin that these same efforts and sacrifices are driven by two things: your faithfulness to service, and a true, genuine love for the Filipino people. Most important qualities that we need in the social programs of our government.

I know this because I have witnessed you working long hours, making many sacrifices, even risking life and limb to give our people the service that they need and that they deserve, especially to the vulnerable and the disadvantaged.

For all of this, you deserve not only our gratitude but also our highest esteem and deepest appreciation.

With the latest developments that we welcome in your department, I am confident we can further boost the skills, provide you with multiple opportunities to promote your professional growth, and strengthen your roles as public servants.

With this new multi-purpose building that we inaugurated today, we will lay the foundations of a competent and dynamic DSWD by providing a venue for employee welfare and wellness programs.

The inauguration of this structure underscores the department’s commitment to ensure that the occupational health and safety, as well as the general welfare of DSWD employees, are put into the fore.

As we look to the future, I enjoin the DSWD once again and all government agencies to ensure that your services reach those in need, wherever they may be.

People should not need to travel to urban areas to access government services.  That is why we must ensure that everyone everywhere will have access to all the help and services that they need.

Continue calibrating the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and strengthening the government’s social protection initiatives, especially since one of the measures we undertake to address poverty is through the grants that we provide for the health needs of every household and education of our children.

In addition to this, I call upon the department to continue to implement the Unconditional Cash Transfer Program to provide cash grants to poor households and individuals who do not benefit from the lower income tax rates but who are adversely affected by rising prices.

Let us also enhance the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens as a means to augment their daily subsistence and medical needs.

And finally, I encourage the DSWD once again to remain steadfast in your commitment to ensuring that more Filipinos will be provided with quality service in the coming years.

The work that you do is crucial, and I am assured that with your dedication and hard work, we will continue to make progress in uplifting the lives of our fellow Filipinos.

With you leading the charge in our government’s social programs, I am confident that we can build a more inclusive and compassionate society that truly cares and respects the life of every single Filipino.

Congratulations once again to the DSWD on your 72nd anniversary. [applause]

You will always remain a shining example of efficient, compassionate, and selfless service to us all in government.

Maraming, maraming salamat at mabuhay po kayong lahat. Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. [applause]

— END —

SOURCE: PCO-PND (Presidential News Desk)