The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has conferred Mabalacat City with
the ‘Gawad Paglilingkod sa Sambayanan’ (GAPAS) for its outstanding program on child development services.
GAPAS is a commendation given to local government units for implementing the DSWD programs and services such as the ‘Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan’, the Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services and the sustainable livelihood program enterprise.
According to DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, this year’s theme is “Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo, Serbisyo na Walang Puwang sa Katiwalian.’
Mayor Marino Morales, the local Social Welfare and Development Officer (SWDO) Josephine Tanglao and Assistant SWDO Charlo Costales received the award during the Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon (PaNATA Ko) sa Bayan Awards held on Tuesday at the DSWD Auditorium in Quezon City.
Mabalacat City thumped other highly-urbanized cities including Iloilo, Baguio, Cebu and Makati with its 100% accreditation marking for both day care centers and workers, and fully functional barangay council for the protection of children (BCPC) in all the 27 barangays here.
With this, Morales vowed to allocate incentives to the child development workers in the city.
Currently, there are 59 child development centers and one national child development center located at Sapang Biabas.
A total of 3, 127 day care children ages three to four years old have enrolled this school year.
“Expect a more improved delivery of social programs and protective services for the Mabalaquenos. For 2018, we are also targeting to bring home with pride the award as Best LGU Implementing Social Protection Programs for 2017,” Tanglao said.
The local social welfare and development is a two-time awardee of the Seal of Child-friendly City from 2015 to 2016. The lgu passed the twelve parameters set by the Council for the Welfare of Children, Department of Social Welfare Development and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Moreover, during his privilege speech, Morales commended all the recipients of awards from various categories and the DSWD workforce chiefed by Secretary Judy Taguiwalo.
“Kayo po ang nagbibigay ng buhay sa amin na lalo pa pong magtrabaho para sa aming mga target communities. Nagpapasalamat rin po ako sa aming Regional Director Gemma Cabuya for the trust and guidance. Rest assured that we will serve more with passion, dedication and commitment to public service. Mayor Boking Morales will always be at your vacant call supporting you there anytime, anyplace, and anywhere, just call my name and I will be there,” the local chief executive said.