Executive Order No. 15 Series of 1998 redirect the functions and operations of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and devolved the basic social services to the Local Government Units. The devolution brought enhancement to DSWD mandates as well as as the direction of its functions and operations, however, the leadership role remains programmatically intact along the major sectors namely: Family and Community, Children, Youth, Women, Disaster Victims and IDPs, Older Persons, and Persons with Disabilities. 

Taking the lead in these fields requires skills and competencies that have been demonstrated, verified, and acknowledged. These are measured internally by the Department’s ability to respond to the said sectors through an efficient and effective performance of its core functions – Social Welfare Policy Development and Planning, Social Technology Development, Protective, Preventive and Promotive Services, Standards Development and Compliance Monitoring, Capability Building Services, and Provision of Technical Assistance and Resource Augmentation. Externally, these are gauged through the request for assistance from intermediaries for specialists along the sectors. 

The approved Reform Agenda of the Department identified organization of resource and expert pools as a key mechanism for harnessing internal expertise and resources within the Department and its partners. Along with this, the Department envisions as the world’s standard for the delivery of coordinated social services and social protection for poverty reduction, and the creation of the DSWD Core Group of Specialists (CGS) is seen as strategies in addressing the demands for competent human resource and high performing internal workforce necessary for the effective delivery of social protection programs and services.