Field Office IV-B (MIMAROPA)

Malate, Manila – The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office IV-B MIMAROPA celebrated its 61^st Anniversary with the theme “DSWD @ 61: Tuloy-tuloy sa Kaunlaran” last January 31, 2012. It was attended by the regional and provincial staff with Usec. Parisya H. Taradji as guest of honor. According to Usec. Taradji, the theme should be translated to the development of the department’s beneficiaries. The development in the level of well being of every beneficiary should continue along the provision of the Department’s programs and services.

The highlight of the event is the awarding of Loyalty Award to employees who rendered services to the Department for years. The awardees are Ms. Priscila C. Contreras, Social Welfare Officer II (15 years), Mr. Domingo V. Agra, Project Development officer II (35 years) and Mr. Pedro Fran, Admin Aide I (25 years).

Also, Mr. Romeo Jambalos, Manpower Development Officer in Marinduque, was given recognition, for his 32 years of service to the Department and a tribute for his retirement. According to him, DSWD has given him knowledge, skills, and experiences that he needs to be a relevant citizen of the community he has been serving for almost half of his life.

Moreover, in line with the celebration is the launching of the wellness program for DSWD IV-B employees. This is to promote good health among the employees through various physical exercises. ### Vlaire Jane F. Formento

Being the first gender pilot municipality in the MIMAROPA region is what sets apart the municipality of Torrijos from other municipalities that have previously implemented and currently implementing the KALAHI-CIDSS. Focusing on gender sensitivity, both the Area Coordinating Team (ACT) and Municipal Coordinating Team (MCT) were bent on using the gender toolkit in order to be integrated in the social investigation stage of the CEAC, the first step to project implementation.

Successfully integrating gender sensitivity in the Community-Driven Development (CDD) Process is not the only thing that makes the municipality of Torrijos in the province of Marinduque a model LGU; it is primarily the utilization of the strong partnership between the Area Coordinating Team (ACT) and the Municipal Coordinating Team (MCT) that makes the municipality worthy of the title.