The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD, through its Standards Bureau (SB), expressed its gratitude to the Area Based Network (ABSNet) organization for being DSWD’s partner in the performance of its regulatory mandate.

ABSNET is an organization of the Department’s registered, licensed and accredited social welfare and development agencies (SWDAs).  It is DSWD’s chief partner-advocate in enjoining SWDAs to get registered, licensed and accredited in the Department to ensure quality standard of service delivery to the poor, marginalized, disadvantaged, and vulnerable sectors in society.

To strengthen its partnership with the organization, the DSWD gathers the ABSNet leaders twice a year. This is part of the Department’s commitment to provide technical assistance to the members of ABSNet and  to serve as a venue to discuss significant issues and concerns faced by SWDAs along social welfare and development. The second meeting was held in November.

SB Director, Atty. Justin Caesar Anthony D. Batocabe expressed his gratitude to the organization saying that “the invaluable contribution of ABSNET has remained strong.”

During the meeting, the Department also assisted ABSNet in conducting their election for the new sets of officers who will lead the organization.

DSWD Undersecretary Denise Florence B. Bragas officiated the oath taking of the elected ABSNet Officers, with Fr. Arnold M. Abelardo of the Ako ang Saklay, Inc., as the new leader of the organization.

Undersecretary Bragas congratulated the new officers and hoped that ABSNet will continue to be DSWD’s significant partner in uplifting the lives of the vulnerable and marginalized sectors.

The Undersecretary added, “Kasama ang DSWD at ABSNet, hindi tayo aatras.  Patuloy tayong susulong sa hamon ng new normal at maghahatid ng dekalidad at maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo” (DSWD, together with ABSNet, will continue to be relentless.  We will remain strong to face the challenges of the new normal to ensure that we deliver quality and appropriate services to the needy sectors).  ###