Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has approved the renewal of the agency’s collaboration with the US Peace Corps after a productive meeting with representatives from the United States government agency responsible for training and deploying volunteers.
Gatchalian and the officials of the US Peace Corps met at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City on March 14 to discuss the renewal of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that is set to expire this year.
The current MOU allows the US Peace Corps to deploy volunteers to DSWD centers and licensed and accredited Social Welfare and Development Agencies to provide assistance to the staff in caring for the residents.
During the pandemic, the DSWD also utilized Peace Corps volunteers to implement the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), particularly in Central Luzon.
The US Peace Corps executives who met with Gatchalian included Director of Management and Operations Bryan Cummins, Program Manager and Team Leader Roberto Yangco, Program Manager for Peace Corps Response Milosil Cruz, and Community Integration Coordinator for Children, Youth, and Family Project Georgina Ciriaco.
The meeting was also attended by DSWD Assistant Secretary Marites Maristela and Concurrent Officer-In-Charge Deputy Program Manager for Operations under the 4Ps-National Program Management Office, Rosalie Dagulo.