About 250 employees and field workers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Eight rally joyfully in a torch parade this week, to mark the agency’s 62nd anniversary.
The night parade caught the attention of bystanders, motorists, and pedestrians, with the long queue of torch – carrying personnel carrying banners bearing slogans attuned to this year’s theme – “ DSWD at 62 : Sama-samang Husay Tungo sa Tagumpay!” The slogans were also entries to a competition that the Field Office Eight launched on that night.
The Pink Panther Team headed by Leilani Jocano grabbed the first place, with its piece – “ Tagumpay ay Mararating; sa Sama – Samang Galing !” followed by the Amazing Gray Team led by Pauline Nadera – “ Magka-isa sa Serbisyo’t Integridad; Tagumpay Tiyak na Matutupad ! ; “ and third – the Peach Warriors Team under Alicia Bolante – “ Tanggapan na Matapat, Serbisyong Ganap; Tatak ng Tagumpay, Tatak DSWD ! “
The Yellow Blazers Team, with Rachelle Balase’ acting as Assistant Team Leader to Ofelia Pagay, who was then in Campostela Valley for augmentation support, had a different tagline, not in support of the theme but to one of the agency’s programs. Its entry, garnering fourth prize, was: “ Yellow Blazers Team Says : Someday, I ‘ ll be a Senior Citizen; Today, I’ ll Work for their Future ! Support the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003! “
Composing the Board of Judges were Rosiannette, an instructress of the University of the Philippines Eastern Visayas College; Leonilo Lopido, Information Officer, and broadcast journalist, Ioannes Omang of DYVL Station.
There were also two audio vans that played on the DSWD and the KAPIT-BISIG LABAN SA KAHIRAPAN: COMPREHENSIVE AND INTEGRATED DELIVERY OF SOCIAL SERVICES jingles.
In the opening program that followed after the parade, DSWD Field Office Eight Director Remia Tapispisan inspired the staff and workers to work with greater passion and intensity, but put emphasis on giving importance to the their families.
Assistant Regional Director Nestor Ramos, meanwhile, thanked the cooperation of the employees, and stated that the weeklong activities will foster stronger camaraderie among the workforce.