BUTUAN CITY-The Association of DSWD Social Workers, Incorporated or ADSWI conducted a special meeting to chart its thrusts and directions for the current year. The ADSWI Meeting held last March 21, 2014 at the DSWD Conference Hall highlights the 2014 celebration of the Womens’ Month. The meeting focused on the strengthening of the organization to meet the ever evolving needs of the vulnerable and marginalized sectors of the society especially women and children.

Part of the agenda was the election of the vacated position as ADSWI Vice President and the Board of Representatives per province and city. Mrs. Golda V. Pocon, ADSWI Caraga Chapter President gave a brief orientation on ADSWI especially designed for the newly hired Social Workers. She also proposed initial plans for the strengthening of the organization.

In her message, Dir. Minda B. Brigoli, CESO III exhorts the ADSWI members and officers to unite and come together to build the competencies and capacities of DSWD Social Workers in meeting with the demands of the new normal. She stressed the need for ADSWI to come up with more venues and innovations for a wider promotion of the Social Work profession and practice. Finally, Dir. Brigoli vowed full support to all ADSWI undertakings.

The inception of ADSWI was ushered by the participation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the ASEAN Social Work Consortium (ASWC). At the national level, ADSWI was organized on January 30, 2012. To date, all DSWD Field Offices have organized ADSWI Chapters. ### ( by: Golda V. Pocon/ DSWD FO Caraga)