ASSOCIATION
OF DSWD SOCIAL WORKERS INC. (ADSWI)
I.
Background:
Social
welfare as a basic function of the state was a concept that materialized only
after the Second World War, although different groups were undertaking pockets
of social work in the first decade of the American occupation in the country.
After the war, the Philippine government gradually assumed the major responsibility
for social welfare.
Public
Welfare Board was the first and original agency established in 1915. Its
functions were to study, coordinate and regulate all government and private
entities engaged in social services. However, the name and its functions
continue changing whenever an elected Philippine President observed the need
for re-organization due to the emerging needs and concerns along social welfare.
In 1987 by virtue of the Executive Order 123 signed by President Corazon C.
Aquino, the existing name “Ministry of Social Service Development” (MSSD) was
renamed as The “Department of Social Welfare and Development” (DSWD). The
Executive Order No. 292, also known as the Revised Administration Code of 1987,
established also the name, organizational structure and functional areas of
responsibility of DSWD and further defined its statutory authority.
Since
1987 to the present, the Department continuously operationalized its mandate
providing assistance to the local government units, non-government
organizations, other national government agencies, people’s organizations, and
other members of civil society in effectively implementing programs, projects
and services that alleviate poverty and empower disadvantaged individuals,
families and communities for an improved quality of life. These achievements are carried out largely by professional social
workers working in this Department, a primary setting of social work practice. On
the other hand, the contributions of other non-social workers who are partners
in the field of social welfare and development are acknowledged and recognized.
The
major breakthrough for the professionalization of social work practice in the Philippines
was achieved by the Philippine Association of Social Workers Incorporated (PASWI) the only professional organization of
social workers accredited by Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) through
its militant pursuit of Republic Act
4373, An act to regulate the practice of social work and the operation of
social work agencies in the Philippines and for other purpose” which
was enacted into law last June 19, 1965. This Law was amended by RA 5175 last
August 4, 1967 providing for the protection
of the rights of social workers.
To
date, with the highly complex and diverse social and economic problems and the
expanding global trends on social work practice, the social workers lead in performing
special task of strengthening and alleviating conditions of the different
sectors of Filipino community. The Social Workers as professionals play a vital
role and greater responsibilities but on its scale as compared with other
professional associations, the public’s are not totally aware on what social
work is all about. Social Work perceptions are more on a “Dole Out” concept. Hence,
the strategy of organizing the Association of Social Workers in the Department
was brought out in the past but to no avail.
With the
participation of the Department in the ASEAN Social Work Consortium (ASWC) that
brought together the various social work professionals and its organizations, it
was realized that DSWD in particular has no organization of Social Workers compared
with LGUs, Medical, Academe and Court settings in which social worker’s
associations are well represented during conferences.
Relative
to this, the DSWD as primary setting that predominantly employ social workers realized
this concern. Hence, the Association of DSWD
Social Workers was organized last January 30, 2012 initiated by the interim
officers. The association may also
serve as venue for information exchange where everyone can share their
practices/stories/experiences that can be used as a tool or strategy in
addressing other issues and concerns that affects us being a public servant.
II.
Vision:
Exemplary service to mankind maintained and nurtured
with global opportunities and privileges.
III.
Mission:
We commit
ourselves to uphold the standards of social work practice in the Department in
aid of continuous and advanced education, integrity and professionalism,
camaraderie and cohesive service providers.
To establish and form a cohesive and united
organization of social workers in the Department that would foster active
fellowship and camaraderie among its members.
IV.
Objectives:
A.
PRIMARY:
1.
To strengthen
the knowledge, attitude and skills of members for professional advancement and
effective social work practice
2.
To advocate,
negotiate and receive incentives, benefits and privileges in favor of the
members as defined under the Magna Carta for Social Workers and other related
laws and policies.
3.
To participate
in the formulation and implementation of policies, issues and concerns relevant
to the practice of social work profession.
4.
To affiliate
with other organized networks, associations, coalitions at the national,
regional and international level for the continuous advancement of the members
in the field of social work.
B.
SECONDARY
1.
To conduct
seminars, convocations, conferences for the interest of members and fund
raising activities to support the purpose/objectives for which the organization
was established.
2.
To accept
donations, contributions, endowments, gifts and the like for the furtherance
and objectives of the association.
3.
To acquire
financial and credit facilities in the form of direct loan or rediscounting
facilities with any banking institutions, whether it be government or private,
local or international, in support to the association programs and services.
V.
Legal
Base:
1.
R.A. 4373 - An act to regulate the practice of social work and the operation of
social work agencies in the Philippines and for other purpose”
2.
R.A. 9433 – An act providing Magna Carta for Public Social Workers
VI.
Coverage:
The Association of DSWD Social Workers (ADSWI) is a newly
organized association exclusive only for the social workers in the Department
both at the Central and Regional Offices. It will cover all registered social
workers currently employed in the Department whether their employment status are
regular, casual or contractual/MOA.
VII.
General Policies:
1.
The
following are the requirements needed before joining the association:
·
Must
be a Social Worker and currently employed in DSWD
·
Must
submit a Valid ID from the Professional Regulation Commission
·
Provide
photo copy of Appointment letter or MOA
·
Submit
the Filled-up ADSWI membership form
·
Payment
of membership fee of P500.00 amount to the Treasurer
2. All members shall be
issued with ADSWI Identification Card proving his/her membership in the
association with a validity of one year.
3. Members of the
association are entitled to trainings/seminars, other opportunities and
benefits (subject to availability of the trainings and funds) and participation
to any discussion related to strengthening of social work practice.
4. General Assembly shall
be conducted annually or as needed.
5. Election of national officers
shall be conducted every 2 years during the general assembly where in the regional
chapter president or his representative shall participate in the election and
voting process.
6. A uniform membership
payment shall be collected for every employed registered social worker upon
joining the association aside from monthly dues that will be collected for the
maintenance and sustainability of the association to be determined by the Board.
VIII.
Definition
of terms:
To
ensure a common reference on the differences of terminologies, the following
are some important concepts:
1. "Social Work" is the profession which is primarily concerned with organized social service activity aimed to facilitate and strengthen basic social relationships and the mutual adjustment between individuals and their social environment for the good of the individual and of society.
2. A "Social Worker" as used in this Act is a practitioner who by accepted academic training and social work professional experience possesses the skill to achieve the objectives as defined and set by the social work profession, through the use of the basic methods and techniques of social work (casework, group work, and community organization) which are designed to enable individuals, groups and communities to meet their needs and to solve the problems of adjustment to a changing pattern of society and, through coordinated action, to improved economic and social conditions, and is connected with an organized social work agency which is supported partially or wholly from government or community solicited funds.
A "Social Work Agency" is a person, corporation or organization, private or governmental, that engages mainly and generally, or represents itself to engage in social welfare work, whether casework, group work, or community work, and obtains its finances, either totally or in part, from any agency or instrumentality of the government and/or from the community by direct or indirect solicitations and/or fund drives, and/or private endowment.
Ms.SilvanaAdelle M. Peters, PDO III |
Treasurer |
|
Mr.Hernan Z. Perez, SWO III |
Auditor |
Standard Bureau (SB) |
Ms.Alexa G. Ledesma, SWO III |
Public Relation Officer (internal) |
|
Mr. Exxon Susmerano, SWO III |
Public Relation Officer (external) |
B. Board of Incorporators/Trustees:
Ms.SilvanaAdelle M. Peters, PDO III |
||
Mr.Hernan Z. Perez, SWO III |
Standard Bureau |
|
Ms.Alexa G. Ledesma, SWO III |
||
Mr. Exxon Susmerano, SWO III |
||
Leah E. Mejias, SWO V |
Social Welfare Institute & Development Bureau (SWIDB) |
|
MaricelDeloria, SWO IV |
Social Technology Bureau (STB) |
|
Rosalie D. Dagulo, SWO V |
Program Management Bureau (PMB) |
|
Ma. Socorro Jocelyn D.C. Abot, SWO III |
Standards Bureau (SB) |
|
Alma M. David |
Social Welfare Institute & Development Bureau (SWIDB) |
|
Charito P. Esteban, SWO IV |
Standards Bureau (SB) |
|
Marlene T. Beringuel, SWO IV |
Standards Bureau (SB) |
|
Gianna Maria L. Delos Reyes |
General Administration Support Service Group (GASSG)
|
|
DaniloDeinla, SWO III |
Program Management Bureau (PMB)
|
|
Amelita U. Camu |
Policy Development & Planning Bureau (PDPB) |
X. Committees:
The President will be the over-all chairman of the committees:
1. Membership and Resource Generation – to be chaired by the Treasurer & Auditor
The
committee shall recommend and implement policies, procedures and strategies for
enhancing membership and recruitment to ADSWI.
- Coordinate with the different DSWD internal offices to invite social workers as potential members to join the organization.
- Conduct orientation/briefing on the privileges, duties and responsibilities.
- Process membership applications and recommend for issuance of national membership ID
- Refer to Education and Capability Building Committee for trainings
- Maintain and update registry of members.
f.
Initiate
and organize fund raising activities that would help the ADSWI finance the
advocacy and training activities
g. Establish positive
relationship with different agencies
h. Prepare project
proposals for funding and submit to International and Local Agencies for
funding.
i.
Manage
the fund raising activities initiated by ADSWI
j.
Coordinate
with the different ADSWI committees for support when necessary
- Submit accomplishment report to the ADSWI President.
2. Education and Capability Building – to be chaired by Vice President & Secretary
This
Committee shall identify, recommend and coordinate the conduct trainings and
capacity building activities for the organization to enhance the organization
and strengthen knowledge, attitudes and skills of the members. Likewise,
conduct ADSWI orientations and represents during forum and discussion of social
work issues.
a.
Coordinate
with local and international organizations for access to any education,
training and capacity building opportunities
b. Conduct training needs
analysis (TNA) for the members of the organization
c. Develop training/seminar
modules exclusive for use of the organization
d. Prepare project
proposals for the conduct of trainings/seminars
e. Facilitate and manage
training/seminars initiated by the organization
f.
Document
the conduct of trainings/seminars and package report
g. Act as resource persons
on trainings/seminars whenever there are invitations from ADSWI chapters and
other interested organizations (local
and international)
h. Establish a pool of
speakers/advocates within the organization and maintain database
i.
Coordinate
with other committees for logistical support
j.
Submit
accomplishment reports to the ADSWI President
3. Advocacy and Networking – to be chaired by Public Relations Officer
The
Committee shall recommend and implement information and advocacy activities and
strategies to strengthen the organization’s campaign on different benefits,
privileges, opportunities relative to social work practice. Likewise, establish
ready resource materials useful to any related advocacies and trainings.
a. Coordinate with
different agencies, local and international organizations for access to IEC materials
and participation to information activities
b. Develop ADSWI website,
blogs, advocacy materials such as primers, stickers, brochures, Frequently
Asked Questions, T-shirts, Advocacy songs and videos for use of organization during
social work related activities
c. Prepare project
proposals for the advocacy activities and printing of IEC materials
d. Act as advocate of ADSWI
and spokespersons on radio and TV interviews
e. Represent ADSWI to any
forums & advocacy event initiated by other organizations
f.
Prepare
articles, write ups on social work profession and practice
g. Lead and manage
information and advocacy activities initiated by the organization.
h. Maintain and update the
organization’s records on information and advocacy activities.
i.
Coordinate
with other committees for logistical support
j.
Submit
accomplishment report to the ADSWI President
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