DSWD, city sign Pag-abot Program pact to help vulnerable sectors
BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office-Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) represented by Regional Dir. Maria Catbagan-Aplaten and the city government represented by Mayor Benjamin Magalong recently entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to establish a collaborative framework between the two parties to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the ‘Pag-abot’ Program.
The Program aims to reach out to vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals, children and families in street situations and improve their social well-being through provision of social welfare protection services, interventions and opportunities to improve social status and fulfill fundamental rights for them to live productively in a safe and enabling environment.
Described in the MOA is the purpose, specific details on the parties’ mutual covenants, rights and obligations, and other terms and conditions that shall legally bind them.
The DSWD is the primary government agency mandated to develop, administer, and implement comprehensive social welfare and protection programs and poverty-reduction solutions designed to uplift the living conditions and empower vulnerable sectors and communities needing assistance.
Local governments’ role in responding to the needs of reached-out families, individuals and children in street situations especially those beneficiaries admitted to a processing center or temporary shelter, has been recognized by the DSWD-CAR.
Meanwhile, the city government also recognizes that children, individuals and families in street situations are emerging concerns that must be addressed in the locality.
It operates a Center at Irisan barangay as a temporary shelter for Pag-abot Program clients including individuals, children and families in street situations as the city signifies its full support to the Program by extending necessary support to the reached-out beneficiaries admitted to its processing center.
The MOA was signed in the presence of DSWD Innovations Division OIC chief Jerry Julian, City Health Officer Celia Flor Brillantes, and City Social Welfare and Development Officer Liza Bulayungan. – Gaby B. Keith
