The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the International Social Services Office (ISSO), has assigned four new Social Welfare Attachés (SWAtts) in Middle East and Hong Kong.
DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista administered the oath-taking of the newly deployed SWAtts, namely Rosemarie F. Alvez, Narrabelle Z. Bue, Josephine B. Macalagay, and Remilene C. Marcelino, in their respective foreign service posts.
Alvez replaced Teresita L. Valentino, SWAtt in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), while Bue succeeded Annabelle R. Oidem, SWAtt in Jeddah, KSA.
Valentino and Oidem ended their tour of duty on April 30, 2022.
Meanwhile, Macalagay and Marcelino were deployed to the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, China, respectively.
Prior to their deployment, the SWAtts underwent intensive training programs and preparations such as pre-departure orientation seminars with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and language course to ensure their full potential.
Likewise, ISSO organized an “internal” PDOS equipping the SWAtts the necessary technical knowledge in providing efficient and timely social welfare services to distressed OFs for the next three years.
They will serve as the DSWD’s representatives in providing social welfare and development programs and services towards the protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare of the overseas Filipinos and their families.
The deployment of SWAtts is pursuant to the mandate of the DSWD in providing protection to the rights and promotion of the welfare of overseas Filipinos and their families, especially those who are in distress.