DSWD says 2024 a challenging, but outstanding year

The year 2024 may have been a challenging year for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with the country suffering severe calamities, but it was also an outstanding one for the agency.

- Sheila Crisostomo

According to Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the agency was able to expand its reach in terms of social welfare last 2024, especially with new programs like the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP), launched in May 2024.

The program provides assistance to wage earners who may not have access to the regular forms of assistance by the DSWD since they do not belong to the poorest of the poor population.

"With AKAP coming into the picture in 2024, we were able to reach more people that need help, especially those who are minimum wage earners, who were experiencing (financial) difficulties because of inflation," Gatchalian said in an interview.

He noted the DSWD also made "big strides" in 2024 with automation, as the agency started the pilot testing of automating the issuance of permits to foundations, non-governmental organizations and agencies doing social work.