Honored men in uniform.  I am privileged again to speak before you,  and it makes me wonder how my speech would go.  For a number of times, I have stood in this platform –  communicating,  inspiring,  advocating.  We are partners in almost every area of concern;  kaagapay tayo sa halos lahat ng bagay.  Wika nga,  in service of the Filipino people !

Mga kasamahan ko sa gobyerno,  gusto ko iparandam sa inyo ang panibagong tatak ng aming serbisyo o service brand.  Ito ngayon ay may kasamang greater compassion o awa o malasakit sa mga naghihirap, hindi lang yung sinasabing economically poor,  pati na rin yung sinasabing vulnerable to abuse and the neglected, o madaling mabiktima sa abuso at mga napapabayaan.  Though the DSWD stands as the lead welfare agency of the national government,  our journey would not be complete without the Philippine National Police at our side.  For how could social workers and other DSWD personnel perform according to its new leadership brand,  that is,  MAAGAP AT MAPAGKALINGANG SERBISYO or PROMPT AND CARING SERVICE !

Mga kaibigan,  ang hinaing ko ngayon sa inyo,  mapalapit pa tayo lalo … mahigpitan pa sapagka’t sa administrasyon ng ating bagong presidente Duterte,  at ang pinuno ng DSWD,  Secretary Judy Taguiwalo,  sinisiguro na walang corupsyon at walang taong nalilinlang, napapabayaan at na-agrabyado.  Walang katiwalian,  wika nga !

Ang pinakamatindi nating isyu na hinaharap ngayon ay ang problema sa droga.  Bilang law enforcement agency,  nagsisimula sa inyo ang aksyon,  kung hindi sila drug surrenderers.  Kami ay nasa hulihan na at malaking bagay ang nasa una at huli.  In carrying our mission of this worsening problem,  let us use maximum tolerance like a good father of a family.  Ka-awa-awa ang taong naluluong sa droga,  kung kaya’t bilang welfare agency,  an aming concern ay after – care service.  Kasama dito ang psycho – social interventions tulad ng counselling at ang role ng pamilya ay napaka – importante.

Ang tinitingnan namin dito ay ang kabu-uan.  Kung problema hanapbuhay,  naghihirap ang pamilya,  we have our Sustainable Livelihood Program.  This also goes to our pursuit in helping abused, neglected,  exploited children and women such as victims of trafficking,  sexual abuse lalo na yung incest.  We cannot stand alone in carrying our tasks.  Gawin natin through constant COMMUNICATION,  COORDINATION,  and COLLABORATION.

Meron tayo mga inter-agency committees which serve as venue for discussion and understanding.  Let us work together in promoting laws on Anti-Violence,  Anti-Trafficking, Anti-Child Pornography,  Rights of Children,  among others.  Let us be CHILD-FRIENDLY and in all of our actions,  put CHILDREN FIRST,  as our primary consideration.

We have already started from way back in advocating said laws,  and we appreciate that our partnership has gone a long way.  The Women’s and Children’s Help Desks in every police station are visible signs of our endeavors.  Palakasin pa natin at palaguin !

As I end my speech,  let me thank you for all the support you have contributed,  sa malalaki man o maliliit na bagay.  The DSWD is proud of you,  pagka’t right there and then if we need you,  nasa fingertips lang kayo.. . sa pag-rescue,  maintain security,  at pagmanman that everything is in order.

On our part,  we are striving harder to be able to reach out with quality service, lalo na ang nasa laylayan ng kahirapan.  Hashtag DSWDMayMalasakit !  Salamat at magandang araw sa inyong lahat !