Zamboanga City- The Field Office 9 capped the celebration of the 71^st Founding Anniversary of DSWD with a gala night held on March 11 at Astoria Royce Convention Center, Zamboanga City.

“Tonight we celebrate the founding of our institution built on a promise of sincere service to the public. We are the frontline of the social service and we should all be proud that we belong to such institution,” said Regional Director, Atty. Sittie Raifah M. Pamaloy-Hassan.

RD Pamaloy-Hassan acknowledged the retirees who have dedicated their years of service to the department including the recipients of Loyalty Awards, Panata ko sa Bayan – Salamat Po Awards 2021, and Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE).

She said, “…we celebrate the milestone of some of our colleagues who have served the agency…such a numerous feat worthy of recognition. To the awardees, your service to the agency is a service to the people.”

“Your DSWD career may have ended, but you will always have a family in us. As we celebrate tonight, I hope that we will not forget the reason for our existence as a department. May this night be a reminder of our commitment to serving the Filipino people and will push us to even greater heights,” she added.

Meanwhile, DSWD Secretary Joselito Rolando D. Bautista graced the event and led the conferment of awards. He praised the regional management for its continuous service to its clientele despite intervening challenges.

“Despite the pandemic, disasters, and other crises encountered, I am very proud of Field Office 9 for remaining true to its duty, and you went beyond expectations in providing Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo not only to Zamboanga Peninsula but also to Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Secretary Bautista also encouraged the awardees to serve as inspiration for others to follow.

“At sa mga naparangalan ng PRAISE at Panata sa Regional Level, patuloy nawa kayo maging inspirasyon sa iba nating mga kasamahan upang mas maibigay pa ang sarili sa gampaning makatulong sa kapwa. Let us all continue to work together towards the attainment of Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay para sa mga Pilipino.”

 

He further emphasized the importance of upholding public service as civil servants.

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. I believe that Field Office 9 will continue to rise and uphold the culture of public service excellence and integrity,” he said.

 

During the celebration of the DSWD Anniversary in Field Office 9, several activities were conducted including bloodletting activity, mini bazaar, online selling, and Serbisyo Express (PhilSys National ID Registration, PAG-IBIG Service Hub, etc.), among many others. ###