Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian greets the chieftains and community leaders of an Aeta community in Barangay Maruglu, Capas town in Tarlac province during the participatory dialogue conducted by the staff of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) on Thursday (February 29).

The dialogue, which was part of the pilot implementation of the Social Protection for Indigenous Peoples (IP) in the IP community, was held to gain an in-depth understanding of socioeconomic issues of the Aeta group.

Joining the DSWD Secretary in the launch were local officials led by Tarlac Provincial Governor Susan Yap, Tarlac 3rd District Representative Noel “Bong” Rivera, Capas Mayor Roseller “Boots” Rodriguez, and Vice Mayor Alex Espinosa.

Philippine Army 72nd Brigade Commander BGen. Gulliver Siñeres also showed his support to the event.

The DSWD officials who attended the activity were Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs Fatima Aliah Dimaporo,  Asst. Secretary and Chief Information Officer Julius Gorospe, Information and Communications Technology Management Service Director Christian Joseph Regunay, and Field Office-3 (Central Luzon) Regional Director Venus Rebuldela. #