Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to highlight the importance of its social protection programs following the recent findings by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) on the agency's critical role in responding to the needs of vulnerable Filipino families. DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the PIDS findings validate the department's role as lead agency in the Marcos administration's delivery of social protection programs for the poor and vulnerable Filipinos.
According to Philippines News Agency, the PIDS findings are welcomed by the DSWD and its Angels in Red Vests. Dumlao assured that the Department will keep serving the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized sectors as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
In a radio interview, PIDS Senior Research Fellow Dr. Jose Ramon Albert highlighted the value of sustained government interventions, particularly those implemented by the DSWD, in ensuring accessible assistance for Filipinos. Albert noted the effectiveness of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in reducing vulnerability among beneficiaries.
The PIDS findings also recognized the DSWD's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program as a significant intervention providing timely aid to Filipinos facing crises or urgent needs. These studies align with DSWD's mission to implement social welfare programs, with a focus on immediate assistance during crises or disasters.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian reiterated the importance of social protection programs like 4Ps and AICS in fostering inclusive growth and reducing inequality. In a televised interview, he emphasized the necessity of these programs to ensure that economic growth benefits all sectors, particularly the most vulnerable.
Gatchalian noted that this approach aligns with President Marcos Jr.'s directive to narrow the gap between income groups, ensuring that economic growth is felt across all sectors. He highlighted the ongoing reduction in poverty incidence, with a goal to decrease it to a single digit by the end of Marcos's term.
