As it celebrates its 67th founding anniversary this January, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is reinforcing its strong commitment to work with integrity and provide dedicated and genuine public service to the Filipino people.

Bearing the theme, “DSWD@67: Walang Puwang sa Katiwalian ang Paglilingkod nang Tapat sa Bayan (true public service with no space for corruption),” the Department’s anniversary celebrations will highlight the importance of building and promoting integrity among its officials and employees. Both are integral to efforts to deliver true and dedicated public service and to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in the public sector.

“The theme of the 67th Anniversary of the DSWD revolves around one of the core values of the Department, which is the serbisyong walang puwang sa katiwalian (service devoid of corruption),” DSWD Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Emmanuel A. Leyco explained.

According to OIC Leyco, this year, the DSWD will  further emphasize the principles of efficiency, honesty, and professionalism among its employees and underscore the importance of protecting and promoting the integrity of the Department and all its staff.

“We want to tell the public that the DSWD is a government agency that works really hard to serve the poor and those in need and that its employees resist and fight corruption. We are doing our very best to protect the agency’s resources and funds to ensure that they are utilized properly and correctly for the benefit of the poor and other neglected sectors of our society,” he added.

The theme also reflects the Department’s new tagline, #DSWDParaSaNakararami—a pledge to the Filipino people that the DSWD stands for and serves the majority –not just a few people. This is an affirmation of the Department’s principle to provide the Filipino people the widest access to its programs and services.

“We work doubly hard to ensure that DSWD’s resources as channeled through its programs and services are used for the public good and not to  benefit the interest of only a few. We are a government agency with a very clear mandate to serve the Filipino people,” said OIC Leyco.

The activities lined up to mark the Department’s 67th Anniversary include a sports festival of DSWD employees, a one-week bazaar showcasing the products of the Department’s entrepreneur-employees, and the traditional courtesy call to the OIC-Secretary.

The celebration will culminate on February 2 with the Department’s Gawad Kalihim Awards and Loyalty Awards.

The Gawad Kalihim will be given by the Office of the Secretary to individual employees who serve as sources of inspiration and motivation to other employees, while the Loyalty Award is given to identified DSWD personnel in recognition of their unwavering commitment in delivering excellent results in their long years of public service.

“I laud the efforts of each official and employee of the DSWD –  they are the ones who breathe life to our calls to provide the people maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo and serbisyong walang puwang sa katiwalian. I urge our officials and employees to continue providing genuine public service to our client-beneficiaries to help them in their battle against poverty and want. The DSWD wants to strengthen their capabilities so they  can stand on their own feet,” OIC Leyco said. #