“Today is a momentous day. Finally, the DSWD Field Office VIII will have its own home,” DSWD FO8 Regional Director Marie Angela Gopalan said Monday (March 22) during the joint blessing and inauguration of the New DSWD Field Office 8 Building and Regional Resource Operations Center (RROC).

For years, employees of various DSWD programs have been stationed in multiple locations as the field office has only been renting office spaces in several areas.

“It’s been quite difficult working in such environment. I’m sure from this day on, DSWD Field Office 8 will be able to bring more effective service delivery,” added Gopalan.

The new building will house the Office of the Assistant Regional Director for Operations (OARDO), DSWD Operations Group of Promotive Services Division implementing the Sustainable Livelihood Program and KALAHI-CIDSS; Protective Services Division implementing Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, Supplementary Feeding Program, and Crisis Intervention Section; the Pantawid Pamilya Program Regional Program Management Office (RPMO), and the Adoption Resource and Referral Section (ARRS).

The occasion was graced by DSWD Undersecretary for Disaster Response Managament Group Felicisimo Budiongan who represented DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista. The ceremonial cutting of ribbon was simultaneously done with the RROC.

“Today’s inauguration and blessing serves as a commitment to sustain our affirmative response to the call of public service in the pursuance of the administration’s goal of a ‘Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na buhay for all Filipinos,” said Secretary Rolando Bautista in his speech read by Undersecretary Budiongan. “We take that the completion of these buildings is more than just a structure achieved by the office but a representation of the tenacity and determination of the people of the region,” he added, saying that the structure is a symbol of the resilience of the DSWD FO VIII personnel, also known as “Angels in Red Vest”of Eastern Visayas.

Bautista, in his message, also recalled the journey and the lengthy process the field office went through to establish and complete the construction of the new buildings.

“As we take a step in these premises, let us bear in mind the hard work and consistent efforts of past leaderships to actualize this accomplishment,” he said as he acknowledged the contributions of former Field Office 8 Regional Directors in achieving this milestone.

“With this new home, we will be able to start anew and achieve more milestones together,” Bautista said as he enjoined the officials and personnel of DSWD Field Office 8 to continue, in this new working environment, their relentless efforts in implementing the Department’s initiatives and programs toward the betterment of the clients the agency serve.

DSWD FO8 Assistant Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) and Incoming Regional Director Grace Subong, DPWH-8 Regional Director Nerie Bueno, Governor Leopoldo Petilla, Mariano Carlos Noel of An Waray Partylist, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish Priest Danilo Pongos, and members of DSWD FO8 Management Committee were present to witness the momentous occasion of the field office.

Department of Social Welfare and Development

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