CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Department of Social Welfare and Development- Region 3 conferred a PaNata (Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan) Award to the City Government of San Fernando on Tuesday at Otel, Pampanga here.
The awarding was held in line with the DSWD’s 71st anniversary with a theme “DSWD @71: Napapanahon na Pagtugon sa Suliranin ng Taong 2022; Kabalikat ng Katatagan ng Bawat Pilipino.”
Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago, together with city social welfare and development officer Aileen Villanueva, city health OIC Dr. Carlos Mercado and city general services officer Engr. Michael Quizon, personally received the recognitions.
The PaNata Ko sa Bayan Award aims to “acknowledge the efforts of the individuals, groups, and organizations whose ‘panata’ or vow is to share their resources and time in providing for a better opportunity for the disadvantaged sectors.”
During her welcome remarks, DSWD Region3 director Marites Maristela thanked their partners from the national government agencies, local government units and non-government organizations in delivering social programs to vulnerable and marginalized sectors of the society.
“Today, we pay tribute and recognition to all our partners and stakeholders in sharing with us collective aspiration and goals for providing social services,” Maristela said.
Under the PaNata Ko sa Bayan Awards, the city bagged two Gawad Paglilingkod sa Sambayanan (GAPAS) award, namely: Regional Winner for the category of LGU implementing an Outstanding Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Microenterprise Model, and Regional Winner for the Category Best New Social Technology for its “Mendi Camp” project, the City’s Anti-Mendicancy program.
Aside from GAPAS award, the PaNata Ko sa Bayan Awards also composed a “Salamat Po!” award which aims to “commend donors/resource agencies and volunteers who provided assistance in the department’s delivery of services as well as recognition to NGOs with best practices.”
Under the Salamat Po! award, the local government bagged two commendations for its CGSO and CH).
CGSO received the commendation for “providing a vehicle to transfer essential documents, office equipment and furniture to the department’s extension office, as well as tents to use as a temporary waiting area for clients.”
The CHO was commended for helping in “maintaining a safer workplace for the personnel and clients by providing series of disinfection activities to DSWD Field Office 3 building and extension offices.”
Mayor Santiago expressed his gratitude to DSWD Region 3 and vowed to continue the city’s strong partnership with the department.
“Sa nakalipas na pandemiya, naging magkatuwang po ang ating mga ahensya sa implementasyon ng iba’t ibang programa, bilang responde sa Covid-19 pandemic. Ayuda, financial assistance, emotional and mental support, at iba pa—iilan lamang sa mga matagumpay nating naibigay sa ating mga kababayan. Sa aming parte, binigay din po namin ang lahat ng aming makakaya. We made use of our available resources—financially and in-kind. At siyempre, dahil po sa inyong tulong at walang sawang suporta, naging matagumpay ang implementasyon ng Siyudad sa mga nasabing programa,” Santiago said.
CSWD officer Villanueva said that these recognitions are manifestations that the local government is working and extending assistance to Fernandinos to rescue them from poverty.
“Magbibigay sa atin ito ng inspirasyon para patuloy pang mapataas ang standard ng social welfare administration at patuloy din nating papanatilihin ang commitment and competence sa pag-implementa ng mga social programs and services,” Villanueva said.
