The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, through its Protective Services Division – Sectoral Unit, reported its key accomplishments for Calendar Year 2025 in delivering protection, assistance, and capacity-building programs for vulnerable sectors across the region.
For persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV), the Unit served 224 clients and provided assistance amounting to ₱869,789.20. Of the total beneficiaries, 189 were male and 35 were female.
Support for child laborers remained a priority under the Strategic Helpdesk for Information, Education, Livelihood, and Other Developmental Interventions (SHIELD) Against Child Labor Program. The Unit extended educational assistance worth ₱5,000 each to 101 former child laborers, totaling ₱505,000 and exceeding the target of 100 beneficiaries. Among those assisted were 74 boys and 27 girls. Through program interventions, 118 profiled child laborers were withdrawn from child labor, while some beneficiaries reached the age of maturity. The program also exceeded its replication target, with four local government units—Surigao City; San Jose and Cagdianao in Dinagat Islands; and Lianga, Surigao del Sur—adopting the SHIELD Program.
“Young people and vulnerable families faced many challenges in 2025, but the Sectoral Unit was able to deliver because of the hard work of the team and the continued cooperation of our partners at the local level,” said Protective Services Division – Sectoral Unit Head Melanie Juan.
Youth and community engagement initiatives were further strengthened through employment-related interventions. Under the Government Internship Program, 75 beneficiaries completed 30-day internships and received ₱7,875 each, with total disbursements reaching ₱590,625.00. Meanwhile, the Immersion Outreach Program served another 75 beneficiaries who received ₱9,787.50 each for 30 days of work in their respective local government units, amounting to ₱734,062.50.
“These accomplishments were made possible through the strong collaboration of our local government units, partner agencies, and sectoral stakeholders who continue to work with us in protecting vulnerable groups,” said Protective Services Division Chief Jessie Catherine Aranas. “We remain grateful for their sustained commitment and cooperation in implementing our programs on the ground.”
To ensure effective implementation of protection laws and programs, the Sectoral Unit conducted spot-checking activities in several local government units to monitor compliance with Republic Act No. 11861, or the Expanded Solo Parent Welfare Act, and assess the implementation of the SHIELD Against Child Labor Program. These activities were complemented by the provision of technical assistance to strengthen local implementation. The Unit also conducted quarterly Kumustahan sessions with local social welfare and development offices and local government unit focal persons, with a total of 14 sessions held in 2025.
Regional Director Mari-Flor Dollaga reaffirmed the Field Office’s commitment to sustaining partnerships and providing continuous support. “DSWD Caraga will continue to stand with our partners and provide technical assistance whenever needed to ensure that our protection programs are effectively implemented and responsive to community needs,” Dollaga said.
Policy and institutional strengthening were also advanced in 2025 through the crafting of the Manual of Operations for Regional Secretariats and the formulation of the DSWD Caraga Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies, which aim to standardize inter-agency procedures and ensure the protection of children’s rights and welfare in all Field Office operations.
At the field level, sectoral focal persons augmented case management for community-based clients, including children in need of special protection, cases of violence against women and their children, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and child custody cases, in support of Social Welfare and Development Area Team Leaders.
Throughout the year, the Sectoral Unit facilitated 17 sectoral celebrations and conducted 83 capacity-building activities. It also ensured the regular conduct of quarterly meetings of inter-agency committees chaired by DSWD, which passed and approved 26 resolutions aimed at strengthening the implementation of protection laws and advancing the rights of vulnerable sectors.
Through these initiatives, DSWD Field Office Caraga continues to strengthen protection services while working closely with partners to promote inclusive and responsive community development.
