Marcos on DSWD鈥檚 74th anniversary: 鈥極ur mission does not end here鈥�
AID AND CAMPAIGN President Marcos visits the “Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas” job fair for beneficiaries of the 4Ps antipoverty program who also received financial aid in Tagum City before proceeding to Carmen town, Davao del Norte, for the campaign rally of the administration’s senatorial candidates in the May 12 midterm polls. —PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday recognized the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for its role in strengthening the country’s resilience.
The chief executive also encouraged DSWD to sustain its effort and uphold its mission.
Marcos made the pronouncement during the DSWD’s 74th anniversary celebration at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
In his speech, Marcos tagged the DSWD as a “steady, reassuring presence” for many Filipinos, especially those who were marginalized and devastated by calamities for 74 years.
However, the president reminded the department that its work does not stop there.
Article continues after this advertisement“Our mission does not end here. It has really just begun. Lasting change is not built overnight—it takes consistent, honest and dedicated effort,” Marcos said.
Article continues after this advertisement“Every single centavo spent, every program that is implemented, every decision that has been made must serve a very clear purpose – to create opportunities that endure, that uplift and reach far beyond just today,” he added.
He also called on the public to support the DSWD and the government to ensure the success of its programs.
“To my fellow Filipinos: The success of these programs does not rest on the shoulders of the DSWD alone. It requires our collective determination, support and our effort,” Marcos said.
Achievements
In the same speech, Marcos noted the many commitments the DSWD upheld since its inception—one of which was the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
This initiative is the department’s conditional cash transfer program that has assisted more than four million households in 2024 alone, according to Marcos.
“Behind these numbers lies a deeper, more profound success: Since its inception, nearly 678,000 families have achieved self-sufficiency,” he said.
The assistance program also led the way to more than one million High School graduates and nearly 470,000 elementary graduates—40,000 of whom also passed their licensure examinations.
Another program Marcos noted was the Sustainable Livelihood Program or SLP, which is aimed at giving skills and resources to Filipinos so that they can improve their livelihoods.
The program provides free technical-vocational and life skills training.
Marcos said 271,000 households benefited from the SLP in 2024 alone.
READ: DSWD: Nearly 5M Filipinos got help thru Akap; 99% of funds used
The president also mentioned the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens.
In 2024, this program ensured that 4.3 million senior citizens received social pensions.
He also recognized the Quick Response Funds, which was used to provide 7.4 million disaster affected families essential assistance and 540,000 families with early recovery services.
