In celebration of the Month of Love, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga formally strengthened its partnership with the Caritas Philippines Foundation – Social Action Commission of the Diocese of Butuan, also known as Caritas Butuan, through a ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), today, February 13, 2026.
The agreement, earlier executed on January 26, 2026, reinforces collaboration in delivering social protection programs, humanitarian response, community empowerment, and capacity development initiatives across the Caraga Region.
Regional Director Mari-Flor A. Dollaga expressed the agency’s full commitment to the partnership.
“I express our full support and commitment to the implementation of this Memorandum of Agreement with the Caritas Philippines Foundation, through the Social Action Commission of the Diocese of Butuan,” RD Dollaga stated.
The partnership integrates government services with the strong grassroots presence of Caritas Butuan to make social services more accessible, coordinated, and responsive, particularly for families in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
Among the identified areas of collaboration are the co-facilitation of Family and Youth Development Sessions (FYDS) under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), advocacy and capacity-building activities of the Protective Services Division, and joint implementation of programs such as KALAHI-CIDSS, Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Pag-Abot Program, Tara Basa Tutoring Program, and the Walang Gutom Program, among others.
Representing Caritas Butuan were Executive Director Rev. Msgr. Porfirio C. Colon Jr. and Rev. Fr. Stephen M. Brongcano, who emphasized the shared responsibility of service between the Church and the government.
“That is why we collaborated with the agency, because you have the expertise, you have the funding and everything there is, but we know that you cannot make it alone. You need us and we need you,” Rev. Msgr. Colon said.
Assistant Regional Director for Operations Jean Paul S. Pajares underscored that the partnership affirms cooperation and strengthens coordination in responding to the needs of vulnerable sectors.
DSWD Caraga will provide policy direction, technical guidance, capacity-building support, and program monitoring to ensure initiatives remain aligned with national standards. Implementation will be coordinated through a Regional Technical Working Group and monitored by a Project Monitoring Team.
The MOA will remain effective until December 31, 2027, subject to renewal.
More than a ceremonial signing, the partnership stands as DSWD Caraga’s meaningful observance of the Month of Love—demonstrating that genuine love is best expressed through service, solidarity, and shared commitment to the people of Caraga.
