As the global community celebrates International Social Work Month this March, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has paid tribute to four social workers who have touched lives and  who have exemplified its brand of  “Maagap at may Malasakit na Serbisyo”.

The DSWD cited the crucial role of the country’s social workers in the delivery of social protection programs.

"In the Philippines, we also recognize and applaud the work of our nation’s social workers who touch the lives of individuals and communities, inspiring them to overcome stigma and adversity to achieve a better quality of life,” it said. 

Here are the four social workers cited by the DSWD for their significant contributions in the delivery of social protection programs:  

Rhoda Y. Capulong

Capulong is a community-based Social Welfare Assistant assigned at the DSWD Provincial Extension Office (POO) in Bulacan for three consecutive years.

“She never gives up on cases of clients referred to her, even when the odds seem stacked against her,” the DSWD said.

The DSWD said she successfully convinced the prospective adoptive parents who were no longer interested to pursue legal adoption because of the long and tedious process they have been through.

"She patiently explained to the client the entire process of legal adoption, clearly articulating that it is for the best interest of the child. Through her patience and persistence, she gradually encouraged the prospective adoptive parents to undergo the socio-legal process of adoption and the case is now in the Regional Trial Court,” it said. 

Capulong serves as the consultant of the Gender Based Violence Watch group (GBVW) in the municipality of Calumpit.

"Under her mentorship, the group is active in the community with their various projects, fighting all forms of abuses and extending help to the less fortunate children and solo parents. Her innovative program greatly empowered women and children, making her a valuable partner of the local government unit of Calumpit,” the DSWD said. 

It said organized by Capulong, the GBVW is currently being replicated in the other barangays of Calumpit.

Capulong initially served as Project Development Officer II and designated as City/Municipal Link at the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) from 2011 to 2013 in the City of Malolos.

The DSWD noted that as a City Link, she handled 18 barangays, visiting a total of 1,098 household-beneficiaries to check on their situation and progress, which it branded "as a formidable task.”

The Provincial Operations Office designated Capulong as a Municipal Action Team (MAT) leader of the municipality of Calumpit from 2013 to 2017. 

"During her tenure as MAT Leader, Rhoda relentlessly pursued community development projects, assisting and motivating beneficiaries to effectively avail of social protection programs,” the DSWD said. 

Jesusa Landicho, a 4Ps parent leader and cluster leader of Gender Base Violence-Calumpit,testified to Capulong’s dedication and heart for social service.

“Nakita ko ang tunay na malasakit ni Madam Rhoda Capulong “Dhang” na mapaigting ang adbokasiya ng organisasyon na mapalawig at mapalakas ang aming samahan. Isa siyang tunay na may puso bilang manggagawa ng lipunan, may dedikasyon sa kanyang propesyon, malasakit at pagmamahal sa bawat kanyang nasasakupan, at kahanga-hanga sa sipag at tiyaga” (I saw Ma’am Rhoda Capulong’s true concern to enhance the advocacy of our group and strengthen our organization. She has real heart as a public servant, dedicated to her profession, concern, and love for all those she deals with, and admirable in her hard work and patience),” she said. 

Rhea Baclay-Valdellon 

Valdellon currently serves as Social Welfare Office II at DSWD Field Office VI.

The DSWD cited Valdellon’s  key role in implementing the Child-Led Policy Formulation initiative at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY), a DSWD-managed center for children in conflict with the law (CICL), 

"Managing CICL cases is already a tough job. However, this lady social worker shone even more as she instituted mechanisms to ensure children’s participation in policy development, and their health protection and education,” it said. 

Among these were  Standardizing Restorative Intervention in Dealing with Behavior; Development of Visitation Policy; and Decorum Regulation for Residents. 

RRCY Region VI implements the Child-Led Policy Formulation in promoting child participation in crafting policies that affect them, the DSWD said.

“To ensure that the CICL at the center are cushioned from sudden shocks due to illnesses, Rhea initiated their enrollment with Philhealth. A total of 127 CICL at RRCY Region VI are currently enrolled with Philhealth for their health protection,” the DSWD cited. 

Valdellon forged partnership with the Virlanie Foundation for provision of educational assistance to CICL and with the local government unit of Calinog, Iloilo for free psychiatric treatment for the CIC. 

“One of the best persons who molded me as a good youth when I was still at RRCY is  my second mother. I fondly call her Nanay Rhea. She believes in my capability that I can also do good things, despite of what I have done in my past. She never made me feel that I am alone and far away from my mother. She guided me, taught me good traits and wisdom, and made me realize that life is wonderful,” said Nonoy, a former resident of RRCY.

For Valdellon, studying and observing the problem rather than working toward a solution is a fruitless endeavor. 

"Social workers conduct research, create strategies to solve social issues, and play their role as part of the solution. This is my philosophy,” she said.

“It is not enough to be compassionate; you must act and when you act, you must have a DSWD heart,” she added.

 Elena G. Salazar 

Salazar is the current Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) team head of Guimaras province.

"Elena is no stranger to working for and with people, having spent 31 years in community service, helping them bring about change particularly in the lives of the 4Ps beneficiaries,” the DSWD said. 

Salazar's advocacies include backyard farming, children’s rights, violence against women, and livelihood opportunities.

"Elena has touched the lives of many individuals who needed help, such as a former CICL,  whom she took under her care as her foster child for two years. The former CICL now serves the Filipino people as he is in the military service,” the DSWD cited. 

"Elena also assisted a mother whose husband was in jail and wanted to give up her child for adoption. Elena then facilitated the legal adoption of the child while she referred the family for financial assistance, regular health check-up, and livelihood support,” it added. 

The DSWD also cited that Salazar also  served as the voice of the victims of the 2019 Iloilo - Guimaras tragedy and their families. Two pump boats capsized at the Guimaras Strait leaving 31 passengers dead.

"She raised the issues and concerns of her fellow Guimarasnons which led to the filing of charges against responsible personnel. She also worked for the provision of assistance to the survivors and bereaved families,” it said. 

Febie Norona Palines

Palines has been working with DSWD Field Office VIII since 2003. 

The DSWD described Palines as a "diligent worker”. 

She rose from the ranks, first as a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) worker serving as community facilitator of the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), then as Area Supervisor for the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction, and later on, as Project Development Officer of the 4Ps, it said.

"Her recent designation as a Social Welfare Officer IV or Provincial Link of the POO of Eastern Samar paved the way to her professional competence, commendable, and an exemplary leader and supervisor for eight years,” the DSWD said. 

It said Palines strengthened the Provincial Monitoring and Technical Assistance (MATA), making it fully functional and guided by Social Work Principles and Code of Conduct.

"Through this, the City/Municipal Links (C/ML) and other field staff have better understanding of their tasks and other deliverables, resulting in faster and more accurate generation of reports, meeting targets, and providing clients with the best services,” the DSWD said.

Palines was behind the  introduction of the Massive Updating Form of Not Attending School (NAS) Children, an initiative that has solved the challenges on the education conditionality of the 4Ps.

The DSWD said the form/tool facilitated faster validation of NAS children, accurate updating since grantee's signature is affixed, and proper tagging of reasons why the children are not attending school. 

"This tool also saved the printing of numerous individual update forms. Due to the effectiveness of the said form/tool, it was later adapted by other POOs, reducing the perennial challenge of logistics the program is dealing with,” it said.

For Palines, with the right support, determination and hard work, people can overcome poverty. 

"This is why for her, 4Ps is not just her work but also her personal campaign in helping the government’s goal to reduce poverty. This personal commitment and dedication are manifested in all the initiatives the POO arrived at in providing the right interventions for their household beneficiaries,” the DSWD said.