Celebrate Filipino Social Workers' Day: A Day to Honor and Empower

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is calling all interested participants to join the virtual celebration of Filipino Social Workers' Day happening on June 19th (Wednesday)! This year's theme, "Makabuluhang Pamumuhay ng mga Pilipinong Manggagawang Panlipunan na May Pagpapahalaga sa Tao, Pamayanan at Kalikasan", translates to "Meaningful Lives for Filipino Social Workers with Value for People, Community, and the Environment."

This event is a fantastic opportunity to:

• Amplify the voices of social workers and recognize their dedication to promoting social welfare.
• Honor their tireless efforts in serving the Filipino people, particularly marginalized sectors.

Join the Celebration!

Whether you're a social worker yourself, an advocate for social justice, or simply someone who appreciates their vital role in society, you're welcome to participate! The celebration will be held virtually via Zoom on June 19th. Here are the details:

• Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89720164688...
• Meeting ID: 897 2016 4688
• Passcode: FSWD2024

A Salute to Social Workers!

We take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to all social workers in the Philippines. Your dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to uplifting the lives of others are truly inspiring. Thank you for advocating for the welfare of those who need it most, and for making a positive impact on our communities and environment.

Let's come together on June 19th to celebrate Filipino Social Workers' Day!

Don't Get Scammed! LTO Warns Motorists of Phishing Attempts

June 15, 2024 - The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is issuing a stern warning to all motorists: ignore text messages and messaging app notifications claiming you have traffic violations. These are scams designed to steal your personal information, including bank and e-wallet details!

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II emphasizes the dangers of these online scams. "We've received numerous reports, and we urge everyone to simply ignore these messages," he says. "The LTO does not send traffic violation notices via text or messaging apps. If you get one, it's a scam."

How the Scam Works:

The scammers' messages often contain a link. Clicking it redirects you to a fake LTO website. This website will then ask you to enter your license plate number and other personal information. But beware! They might also request bank account or e-wallet details. Once you enter this information, the scammers can steal your money.

Here's what to do:

• Never enter your license plate number, bank details, or e-wallet information on suspicious websites.
• Ignore all text messages and messaging app notifications claiming traffic violations from the LTO.
• Report suspicious messages to the authorities.

The LTO Fights Back:

The LTO is working with law enforcement agencies like the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to track down the scammers. They're also taking steps to raise public awareness:

• LTO Regional Directors and District Offices are using social media to spread the word about the scam.
• Information about the scam is being included in the LTO's free Theoretical Driving Course.

By staying informed and vigilant, we can prevent these scammers from succeeding. Remember, the LTO will never contact you about traffic violations through text messages or messaging apps. If you're unsure about a message, always contact the LTO directly through their official channels.

Barangay Officials Face Charges for Deducting Cash Aid from Pregnant Beneficiary

June 15, 2024 - Two barangay officials in Davao City are facing criminal and administrative charges after deducting a significant portion of a pregnant woman's cash assistance.

Pregnant Woman Denied Full Cash Aid

Mrs. Anne Villarin, a resident of Barangay Sinawilan, Matanao, Davao del Sur, received P10,000 in financial aid under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fishermen, and their Families (PAFFF) program on June 6th. However, the barangay officials allegedly took P8,500, leaving her with only P1,500.

Villarin took to social media to expose the incident, and the video went viral. This prompted the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to take action.

DSWD Assists Beneficiary, Files Charges

The DSWD's Field Office-11 (Davao Region) assisted Villarin in filing charges against the barangay chief and a councilor. They admitted in a video interview with Brigada News FM Davao that they deducted the money.

Based on Secretary Rex Gatchalian's directive, a joint complaint affidavit was filed by Villarin and DSWD FO-11 Regional Director Atty. Vanessa Goc-ong. The formal complaint, along with witness affidavits and authentication documents, was submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman in Davao Region.

The DSWD has also provided Villarin with the missing P8,500 as she refused to accept the money returned by the barangay officials after the incident gained public attention.

DSWD Reiterates Policy on Cash Aid

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, emphasized that DSWD cash assistance is intended solely for the beneficiaries.

"Nobody, not even government officials, should take a cut of these cash aids," Dumlao said. The DSWD assures the public that they will hold the erring officials accountable and ensure Villarin receives continued support throughout her pregnancy.

This incident highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the distribution of government aid. The DSWD's swift action sends a strong message that such practices will not be tolerated.

DSWD and META Philippines Collaborate to Combat Online Baby Selling

June 13, 2024 - In a significant move against online human trafficking, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian led a meeting with representatives of META Philippines, the parent company of Facebook, on Thursday, June 13.

The meeting was a response to the alarming rise in Facebook accounts being used for the online selling of babies under the pretense of adoption. Secretary Gatchalian emphasized the need for a robust mechanism to report these activities directly to META or through other reporting channels.

“We have created a working relationship with META to develop a campaign against human trafficking,” said Secretary Gatchalian. He stressed the need to treat online illegal adoption with the same severity as violations of the Anti-OSAEC (Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children) law.

The meeting was attended by key DSWD officials including Undersecretary for International Affairs, Attached and Supervised Agencies (ASAs) Emmeline Aglipay Villar, Assistant Secretary Elaine Fallacurna, and Undersecretary Janella Estrada, the executive director of the NACC.

During the meeting, Undersecretary Estrada informed META representatives that 16 of the 23 reported Facebook pages involved in the online selling of infants had been taken down. However, she expressed concern over new pages being created by those behind this illegal activity.

Undersecretary Estrada urged Clare Amador, META Philippines Director for Public Policy, to take immediate action against Facebook pages clearly engaged in the illegal selling of babies online.

In response to the situation, Secretary Gatchalian instructed Undersecretary Janella to form a team within the NACC to monitor these pages and collaborate with META to create a more robust mechanism to combat this form of human trafficking. This collaboration marks a significant step in the fight against online human trafficking and the protection of children’s rights.

NFA Exceeds Palay Procurement Target for First Half of 2024

June 13, 2024 - The National Food Authority (NFA) achieved a remarkable feat on Thursday, June 13, 2024, exceeding its target palay procurement for the first half of the year by a significant margin.

NFA Administrator Larry Lacson announced that the agency successfully procured a total of 3,363,100 bags of palay, equivalent to 168,155 metric tons, surpassing their initial target of 3,080,000 bags. This translates to an impressive 109% accomplishment rate.

"Today, we already hit more than our target for January to June, 2024," declared Administrator Lacson. "This is a testament to the NFA's dedication to supporting our local farmers and ensuring a stable supply of rice for Filipinos."

This achievement is attributed in part to the agency's continued implementation of the Price Range Scheme (PRICERS) program. PRICERS offers farmers a competitive price for their palay harvest. Under the program, the NFA buys wet palay at Php 17 to Php 23 per kilogram, while clean and dry palay fetches Php 23 to Php 30 per kilogram. This pricing structure incentivizes farmers to sell their produce to the NFA, contributing to the agency's buffer stock and ultimately, national rice security.

The success wasn't uniform across all regions. NFA Bicol, for instance, reportedly surpassed its target by a staggering 442%, procuring 313,485 bags against a target of just 51,500 bags. Similarly, the NFA Cagayan Branch Office exceeded its goal by acquiring 541,510 bags compared to their target of 528,000 bags.

While these regional highlights are commendable, Administrator Lacson emphasized the importance of sustained efforts throughout the remaining months. "We are halfway through the year, and we have achieved more than what we set out to do. However, we cannot rest on our laurels. We will continue to aggressively procure palay to ensure we have sufficient buffer stocks for the latter part of the year," he stated.

The NFA's accomplishment is a welcome development for the Philippines' rice industry. By exceeding its target and offering competitive prices to farmers, the agency is contributing to price stability and ensuring a steady supply of affordable rice for Filipino consumers.