The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is the main arm of the Philippine government that’s responsible for protecting the rights and social welfare of Filipinos, and also for promoting social development. It has offices in every region of the country, including the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
CAR is an administrative region located in the northern part of Luzon. Also known as Cordillera Region or simply “Cordillera,” it is the only landlocked region in the Philippines. Its population is less than that of Manila, making it the country’s least populated region.
Location of DSWD Field Office CAR
DSWD Field Office Car is situated in Baguio, Benguet. A highly urbanized city, Baguio is the regional center and largest city in CAR.
There are also Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) offices in: Bangued, Abra; Luna, Apayao; La Trinidad, Benguet; Lagawe, Ifugao; Tabuk City, Kalinga; and Bontoc, Mountain Province.
Cities/Municipalities Under DSWD Field Office CAR
DSWD Field Office CAR covers six provinces comprising the region: Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province.
The province of Abra has 27 municipalities, with Bangued as the provincial capital. Meanwhile, Apayao consists of seven municipalities; its provincial capital is Kabugao.
Ifugao and Mountain Province have 11 and 10 municipalities, respectively. Lagawe is the provincial capital of Ifugao, whereas Bontoc is the capital of Mountain Province.
As for the province of Kalinga, it is made up of seven municipalities and one city, Tabuk, which serves as the provincial capital.
Finally, Benguet province has 13 municipalities, with La Trinidad as the provincial capital. Notably, the highly urbanized city of Baguio is geographically located in Benguet; however, it is administered independently from the province.
Key Programs and Services
DSWD Field Office CAR implements DSWD’s key programs and services acrooss the region. These include the following:
Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – National Community-Driven Development Program (Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP). Uplifting the socio economic status of the poor and buildin the capacity of local government units (LGUs) are the main objectives of this community-based, poverty alleviation program.
Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP). Targeting young children in communities, this program provides nutritious meals in addition to their regular meals, ensuring their optimum growth and good health.
Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP). A program designed for victims of human trafficking, RRPTP provides emergency shelter, legal assistance, medical assistance, counseling, and other interventions.
Listahanan. Implemented by the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), Listahanan is an information management system containing the names, locations, and other details about low-income households in the country.
Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Building the capacity and improving participants’ socioeconomic status are the objectives of this community-based program. It involves two major tracks: Micro-enterprise Development and Employment Facilitation.
Adoption and Foster Care. Parents who are interested in adopting or fostering children need to coordinate with the DSWD, which is in charge of facilitating these processes.
Center and Residential Care Facilities. DSWD Field Office CAR oversees facilities catering to street children, recovering drug users, victims of domestic violence, abandoned senior citizens, and other vulnerable sectors. Below is a list of the region’s facilities:
- Bahay Pag-Asa (Provincial Government of Abra) — Bangued, Abra;
- Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) — Baguio City, Benguet;
- Regional Haven for Women and Girls (RHWG) — Baguio City, Benguet; and
- Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY).
Assistance to Individuals In Crisis Situations (AICS). This is a series of services offering different types of assistance to individuals, families, and communities in crisis. People are given medical assistance, transportation assistance, and other interventions.
Disaster Response Management Services. In times of natural or man-made disasters, the DSWD provides relief assistance, temporary shelter, medical assistance, cash-for-work programs, and other interventions to affected families and communities.
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). This is the national anti-poverty program of the Philippine government. It provides educational grants, health grants rice subsidies, and other services to “the poorest of the poor” households in the country.
Recent Achievements and Milestones
DSWD Field Office CAR is committed to serving the Filipino people, implementing various services to meet their needs. Here are some of the office’s latest achievements, according to its Facebook page:
DSWD FO CAR Holds Nutrition Symposium
On September 19, 2024, DSWD Field Office CAR, through its Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP), held a Nutrition Symposium for Child Development Workers and Barangay Nutrition Scholars.
The activity was carried out as part of the RSDC Banner Program – Nutrition Project for Paracelis, a three-year program aiming to help the Local Government Unit (LGU) improve its nutrition situation.
4Ps Beneficiary Family Wins Chorale Competition
The family of Guirda Lepi Wasing, a 4Ps beneficiary from Kabayan, Benguet, won first place in the Chorale Competition during the Provincial Family Congress held by Benguet Provincial Local Government Unit on September 27, 2024.
Aside from sharing their talents and love for music, the Wasing family is also an active member of the 4Ps, complying with the program’s conditions and being responsible community members.
DSWD FO CAR Provides Agricultural Farm Inputs
In coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA), DSWD FO CAR provided agricultural farm inputs to select 4Ps Parent Groups.
Between September 3 and 19, 2024, five Parent Groups from the municipalities of Alfonso Lista, Hingyon Lamut, and Mayoyao received vegetable seeds, knapsack sprayers, hoses, and plastic drums for their community gardens.
How to Apply for Jobs in DSWD Field Office CAR
Occasionally, DSWD Field Office CAR announces job openings through its official website and Facebook page. Job seekers are advised to prepare these documents before they apply:
- Application Letter;
- Comprehensive Resume or updated Personal Data Sheet (CS Form No. 212);
- Certified photocopies of Transcript of Records (TOR) and Diploma;
- Certificates of Trainings and Seminars attended;
- Certificate(s) of Employment;
- Certification of Board Rating/Professional License/CS Eligibility (if applicable);
- Certification from School for Masters or PhD units earned or completed (if any); and
- Individual Performance Contract Rating (IPCR) for the last semester (if any).
Once you have gathered all the necessary documents, you can apply for a job online by following these steps:
- Go to the official website of DSWD Field Office CAR. Click the “Opportunities” tab and select “Job Vacancies.”
- The webpage will display major details about each job vacancy: Position Title, Employment Status (e.g. Permanent, Contract of Services), Place of Assignment, and Deadline of Submission.
- Click “View” to see more information about the job opening. The webpage will show the required qualification standards (i.e. education, experience, training), salary grade, and monthly salary.
- Click “Proceed to Application Process,” then select “Apply Now” to submit an application. Be sure to enter the required information, and to upload the necessary supporting documents.
- Wait for an email, text, or call from the DSWD regarding the status of your application, as well as for further instructions.
Video: State of the DSWD FO CAR Address
July 22, 2024 marked the “First 100 Days” in office of DSWD FO CAR Regional Director Maria A. Catbagan-Aplaten, Ph.D. Watch this video as she delivers the State of DSWD FO CAR Address:
Contact Information: DSWD Field Office CAR
Questions and concerns for DSWD Field Office CAR may be addressed to the following contact details.
Address: 80 Bokawkan, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
Telephone: (074) 661 0430
Email: focar@dswd.gov.ph
Website: https://car.dswd.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dswdfocordillera/
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
The people of the Cordillera Administrative Region are able to benefit from Philippine government’s programs, thanks to DSWD Field Office CAR. To view the complete list of DSWD Regional Offices in the nationwide, you can visit this link.