Malacañan Palace
2 February 2016

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the 65th anniversary celebration of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) held in Malacañan Palace.

In his speech, the President imparted a few of the notable contributions and achievements of the DSWD, including the widening of the coverage of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). From P10 billion in 2010, its budget has been increased to P62 billion in 2015 and to P62.7 billion this year, to provide assistance to 4.6 million target housing beneficiaries.

He also recognized the success of the DSWD’s community-driven development project, Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Service (KALAHI-CIDSS), which trains communities and their local government units (LGUs) to choose, design and implement sub-projects that address their needs.

From July 2010 to December 2015, a total of 16,282 projects were completed that directly helped 3.9 million housing beneficiaries.

“Dulo po nito: ‘Di lang natin natugunan ang mga agarang pangangailangan ng ating mga Boss, binibigyan din natin sila ng kakayahang maitaguyod ang mas magandang kinabukasan,” President Aquino said.

He also expressed his gratitude to the DSWD chief, Secretary Corazon ‘Dinky’ Soliman, and to all social workers and volunteers who form part in the delivery of the agency’s mission. “Ang bawat butil ng malasakit ninyo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino sa kasalukuyan, paglaon, ay magbubunga ng mas malaki pang pagbabago,” the President added.

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