President Benigno Aquino III comes to the defense of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and hits back at critics of the agency. The DSWD marked its 63rd anniversary Thursday. Video by 黑料社鈥檚 Ryan Leagogo
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MANILA, Philippines鈥擯resident Benigno Aquino III on Thursday lauded the employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for continuing to serve the public despite criticisms.
鈥淢adalas, mas marami ang batikos kaysa pasasalamat. Mas mahaba ang listahan ng reklamo kaysa papuri. Sa kabila nito, natutuwa ako, nabibilib ako, na wala akong nababalitaang isa man sa inyo na nagwagayway ng puting bandila para sabihing sumusuko na kami (Often, there are more criticisms than expressions of gratitude, the list of complaints is longer than that of praises. But I鈥檓 glad I鈥檝e not heard of anyone waving the white flag to say, 鈥業鈥檓 giving up鈥�),鈥� the President said during the agency鈥檚 63rd anniversary.
He praised the employees for facing numerous national calamities, including the Bohol earthquake and the Supertyphoon 鈥淵olanda,鈥� and being able to serve millions of families needing food, medicine and care.
President Benigno Aquino III. Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO/黑料社
Aquino said that despite the DSWD鈥檚 dedication, there are some who cannot resist criticizing the agency.
鈥淎lam ko na habang nagpapatulo kayo ng pawis, luha, at minsan dugo para makatulong sa nangangailangan, may ilan tayong kababayan鈥攁t talagang mangilan-ngilan lang naman鈥攏a kung magsalita ay akala mo wala na tayong kayang gawing tama,鈥� he said.
(I know that while you are shedding sweat, tears and even blood to help those in need, there are people 鈥� just a handful 鈥� who talk as if we cannot do something right.)
He joked that DSWD employees are now even afraid to take a rest as somebody might photograph them to show they are not doing their job.
The President went on about the administration鈥檚 critics, even mentioning Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla who did his job but was still pressured to resign.
Aquino, in the end, personally thanked the DSWD employees for their 鈥渃ourage and dedication.鈥�
During the event, the state welfare agency recognized its top employees, including two regional personnel who were injured in a helicopter crash on their way to relief work in typhoon-devastated Leyte.
Danny Franco Bitara and Noemi Mongaya, together with a group of soldiers, were about to land in La Paz, Leyte when their helicopter encountered engine problems.
Mongaya said she agreed with the President, pointing out that they are working hard to help other people.
Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman also lauded their field employees, who continue to lead relief operations in areas devastated by Supertyphoon 鈥淵olanda鈥� (Haiyan).
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