For the first time since his wife took office as the country’s second-highest official, lawyer Mans Carpio represented Vice President Sara Duterte in a government-led event during the 72nd anniversary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) where she called on the agency to ensure that no Filipino gets left behind as the country propels to progress.
Carpio, who stayed away from public eye, read a message from his wife, who couldn’t attend the event on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the DSWD Compound in Batasan Hills, Quezon City.
Reading Duterte’s message, he recognized the “invaluable role” of the DSWD in its “shared task” with the national government to empower the people.
“We acknowledge your invaluable role in our shared task of social empowerment by means of effective programs, projects, and initiatives that advocate for equitable, social protection services,” the lawyer said.
Through Carpio, who also joined President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the event, Duterte asked the DSWD to ensure that no Filipino gets left behind in the country’s way to development.
“Let us, therefore, persevere in our hopes of a strong Filipino citizenry where no one gets left behind. As our nation reaches a new chapter in the pursuit of development, may you steadfastly work with us in harnessing greater solidarity and promoting good governance in the delivery of public service,” he said.
The Vice President also lauded the DSWD for working with the private sector to improve the quality of life of its beneficiaries.
“By facilitating the proactive participation of other government agencies in partner stakeholders in the private sector, you have fostered a strong sense of community and strengthened the spirit of bayanihan in working toward excellent initiatives geared to improve the quality of life of every filipino
especially of women, children, youth, and other marginalized groups,” he said.
READ: Marcos tells DSWD: Continue cash grants to poor Filipinos
Aside from attending the agency’s anniversary, Carpio also witnessed the inauguration of the DSWD’s Multi-Purpose Building at its central office grounds and said that may it serve as an inspiration “to renew our commitment to realizing sustainable projects for community development while exemplifying genuin and compassionate service.”
“In collaboration with the Public Works and Highways, this edifice is a symbol of your concerted efforts to build better venues and more productive, conducive spaces for wider community engagement and effective program development and implementation,” Carpio added.
He commended the agency for planning to use the venue as a platform for its welfare programs since it shows how the DSWD prioritizes the occupational health and safety of its employees.
“The task of paving wider paths of social growth begins with the confines of your institution and is reflected on your capacity to cultivate a healthy and productive working environment for everyone,” he said.
“Hence, I’m confident that this multipurpose building will propel you to efficiently mobilize socio-civic assistance programs for crisis intervention among individuals in need and local communities at your discretion,” Carpio added.
He also mentioned the agency’s move to use digital social technologies in delivering programs and services because these would enable the government to “adapt better measures that will efficiently implement the programs designed to help children, families, indigenous peoples and other disadvantaged groups in difficult circumstances.”
As the country’s Education chief, the Vice President also acknowledged the DSWD’s “unwavering dedication” to projects that allow kids to access quality learning, such as its “Bata Balik Eskwela.”
Carpio also read about Duterte’s appreciation of how the agency continued to implement the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps to alleviate the lives of poor households through financial grants.
The Vice President also urged the agency to “remain resolute in instituting gender and development initiatives as an avenue for empowerment.”
“We count on your intensified efforts toward social development and social protection support across education, health, gender equality, poverty reduction, and calamity recovery programs. May the strides of special services translate to more valuable campaigns for the improved being of Filipinos,” Carpio said.