The Field Office 9 of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) received two national recognitions in the recently concluded 2018 Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) held on March 29 at Diosdado Macapagal Auditorium, Landbank Plaza, Malate, Manila.

The Regional Information Officer of the Social Marketing Unit (SMU) Ivan Eric C. Salvador emerged as the Best Support Staff for 2018 while the SMU was recognized as 2nd Best Support Office.

“I would like to share the success to all the men and women who have significantly molded and engaged with me in all of my communication and advocacy works. This recognition is our shared success, for without the support and collaboration, I cannot be effective and efficient,” expressed Salvador. 

Best Support Staff: Ivan Eric C. Salvador

As head of the SMU, he spearheads the formulation and execution of the regional communication plan, which revolves on implementing different activities and strategies along communication, public relations, mass media, social marketing and advocacy geared towards increasing public awareness of the department’s programs and services, and building support from the different stakeholders using various communication channels.

Now, he is accordingly looking forward to a more productive year in helping the organization by coming up with new innovations and rendering more valuable contributions.

“I am looking forward for more opportunities to utilize my skills and energies to help not only our clients and beneficiaries but also our staff who need most of our technical asistance,” he added.

The Best Support Staff Award was given to Salvador for his significant support to the operations of the office through communication and advocacy activities, thereby contributing to the heightened awareness, appreciation and support to the agency’s programs, projects, and services by the clients, partners and the general public.

On the other hand, the SMU is the primary unit in the field office with the responsibility to undertake advocacy, publicity, and networking activities which shall embody the Vision, Mission, and the Goal of the department to promote social change, and to nurture relationships with the general public and partner stakeholders. In doing so, the SMU is tasked to implement communication and advocacy plans to raise awareness on the different programs and services of DSWD.

2nd Best Support Office: Social Marketing Unit

Apart from Salvador, the said unit is likewise comprised of various information officers of key programs namely; Fung Kay B. Choi (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program), Bernely Sheilaine N. De Leon (Sustainable Livelihood Program), Jonabeth C. Agana (KALAHI-CCIDSS), and Mumar I. Ibbin (Listahanan). Meanwhile, Juvelyn T. Sanogal serves as the administrative staff or secretary of SMU.

“May this recognition manifest the commitment and dedication we have to public service. May this inspire more workers in the department to work hard with embedded values with them. Strive to innovate and calibrate new ideas to introduce high impact breakthroughs contributing to the operation and implementation of the different programs and services of DSWD,” he said. 

Through the years, the SMU has served as a model office in portraying good performance, complete and effective staff work and exemplary practices.

“The values embodied in all of the staff are magnified in all of their undertakings. The unit has continuously served as the senses of the department by visualizing new communication strategies, listening to the people, and speaking for truth and rightful information,” he ended. 

During the awarding ceremony, the Financial Management Division (Field Office 3) and Standards Section (Field Office 10) were adjudged as 2018’s 1st and 3rd Best Support Offices respectively.

The Best Support Office Award aims to recognize offices that are able to provide support to the operations of the agency, making sure that the Major Final Outputs (MFOs) namely Social Protection Policy Services, Social Policy Services, Capacity Building Services, and Regulatory Services shall be effectively delivered to clients and intermediaries.

Aside from Salvador and the SMU, the regional awardees of the DSWD PRAISE 2018 for Best Division Chief (Asst. Regional Director for Operations- Fatima S. Caminan) and Best Social Worker (Teddy A. Kahil) were also shortlisted as one of the top three semi-finalists in their respective nominations. ARDO Caminan accompanied the national awardees from the region during the recognition rites. ###