The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga convened local social welfare and development officers (LSWDOs) from across the region for the 2025 Social Welfare and Development (SWD) Mid-Year Forum cum “Diva Unfold: Leading the Way – LGU Best Practices,” held on July 18, 2025 at the Pavilion, Watergate Hotel, Butuan City.With the theme “Advancing Social Services Through Collective Knowledge Sharing,” the forum aimed to assess mid-year performance, align priorities, and strengthen collaboration between the Field Office and local government units (LGUs) in delivering responsive social welfare and development services.
The Policy and Plans Division, through Planning Officer Ms. Lovelyn Galing, presented the Field Office’s 2025 thrusts and priorities under the MADASIGON framework.
The Knowledge Sharing Session (KSS), led by Protective Services Division Chief Ms. Jessie Catherine Aranas, RSW, highlighted key initiatives such as the BACK-UP LGUs Program and SHINE Partners strategy to enhance LGU capabilities and interventions.
Furthermore, updates on the Special Education Center Program and the Walang Gutom Program were presented by Ms. Lovely Joy Delamente, RSW, and Ms. Cherry Paguia, RSW, respectively.
The forum also featured “Diva Unfold: Leading the Way – LGU Best Practices,” where select LGUs shared their innovative practices. Ms. Sharon Tisang, RSW, of MSWDO Carmen, Surigao del Sur; Engr. Margie Vicio, of LYDO Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte; and Mr. Christian Joy Cervantes, RSW, of MSWDO Jabonga, Agusan del Norte shared their experiences. They were the region’s national finalists for DSWD’s Panata Ko Sa Bayan- Gawad Serbisyo Awards in 2024.
DSWD Caraga Regional Director Mari-Flor Dollaga, RSW, underscored the significance of knowledge sharing in advancing social welfare services in the region. “We gather to celebrate our shared mission, recognize one another’s contributions, exchange best practices, and inspire our local government units to deepen their commitment to implementing SWD programs in every corner of their communities,” she said.
The forum, spearheaded by the Field Office’s Policy and Plans Division – Technical Assistance and Other Related Support Services (TAORSS), with the support of the Regional Management Development Committee (RMDC), LGUs, partner agencies, and NGOs, served as a venue to exchange innovations, best practices, and approaches to address emerging social development challenges in the region.
