Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista thanked the International Organization for Migration and the United States Agency for International Development for exemplifying the bayahinan spirit and for helping the government strengthen its disaster preparedness and response.
He expressed the agency’s “profound gratitude” to the IOM for donating around 21 Distance Learning Information Technology (IT) equipment worth P3.3 million to the DSWD.
“We are very elated to know that our development partners such as IOM are also exemplifying the same bayanihan spirit as they extend a helping hand to the Filipino people. Today, we express the agency’s profound gratitude to the IOM for their donation comprising of Distance Learning Information Technology equipment,” he said in his speech today at the DSWD Auditorium.
Bautista received the IT equipment, which is funded by the USAID through IOM.
"This donation will go a long way in intensifying the DSWD’s disaster preparedness and response activities, specifically with the new IT equipment,” he said.
"The Department will be able to implement high quality and effective distance learning activities and ensure that our field office staff , local government units and other partners-stakeholders stay current with the new policies and guidelines in disaster response operations.”
He cited that despite the continuous impacts of COVID-19 on public health, economic, social, political and organizational dimensions, the DSWD is undertaking concerted efforts in delivering social safety nets to the Filipino people.
“While, the Department has been relentless in the implementation of these programs aimed at helping out the most affected sectors, it is particularly important that our personnel are properly equipped with the necessary resources to effectively deliver the needed services during disasters,” Bautista said.
Joining Bautista in receiving the IT equipment was DSWD Undersecretary Felicisimo C. Budiongan.
IOM Philippines Country Office Program Manager Troy Dooley, IOM Philippines Country Office National Program Coordinator Conrad Navidad, USAID Deputy Mission Director Patrick Wesner, and USAID Regional Advisor Joe Curry graced the event.