The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is the main agency of the Philippine government when it comes to protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of all Filipinos. It has different types of programs catering to the needs of various sectors, especially the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized.
The DSWD Central Office is located in Quezon City, though it also has Field Offices situated in every region of the country. The DSWD Field Office I covers Region I, which is called Ilocos Region.
Location of DSWD Field Office I – Ilocos Region
DSWD Field Office I is located in San Fernando, La Union, the regional center of Ilocos Region. Aside from the field office, there is also a DSWD Regional Office Warehouse in Bauang, La Union.
Cities/Municipalities Under DSWD Field Office Region 1
DSWD Field Office I covers the four provinces of Ilocos Region, namely: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.
Ilocos Norte is comprised of 21 municipalities and two cities (Batac and Laoag City), whereas Ilocos Sur has 32 municipalities and two cities (Candon and Vigan City). Meanwhile, the province of La Union consists of 19 municipalities, and one city, San Fernando.
In terms of land area, Pangasinan province is the biggest, with 44 municipalities and four cities: Dagupan, Alaminos, San Carlos, and Urdaneta.
Key Programs and Services
Here is a list of the key programs and services provided by DSWD Field Office 1:
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). As the flagship anti-poverty program of the DSWD, this program provides conditional cash transfers to the “poorest of the poor” families. It includes educational grants, health grants, rice subsidy, and other benefits.
Listahanan. This is an information management system used to identify and determine the poorest beneficiaries. It is operated by the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR).
Supplemental Feeding Program (SFP). In addition to regular meals, this program provides additional nutrition to children who have been identified as malnourished and underweight.
Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). This is a community-based program that aims to improve the socio-economic status of its beneficiaries. It features two main tracks: Employment Facilitation and Micro-enterprise Development.
Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – National Community-Driven Development Program (Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP). This is a community-based, poverty alleviation program that aims to uplift the socioeconomic status of the poor while building the capacity of local government units (LGUs) and stakeholders.
Center and Residential Care Facilities. These are facilities that cater to the needs of vulnerable sectors such as street children, victims of domestic violence, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens who have been abandoned or neglected. In Region I, there’s the Haven for Women, Home for Girls, Area I Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and The Haven – Regional Center for Children.
Adoption and Foster Care. The DSWD places minors in need of foster care with a parent (or parents) other than their biological mother and father. The agency is also hugely involved in the process of child adoption.
Assistance to Individuals In Crisis Situations (AICS). This program offers a range of interventions to individuals and families who are experiencing a crisis. These include medical, financial, educational, transportation, and other types of assistance.
Disaster Response Management Services. In time of natural or man-made disasters, the DSWD provides a range of services to affected families and communities. These include the provision of relief goods, emergency shelter assistance, core shelter assistance, and cash-for-work programs.
Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP). This features a comprehensive package of programs and services that cater to the needs of victims of human trafficking.
Recent Achievements and Milestones
Meanwhile, here are some of the latest news and updates on DSWD Field Office 1:
DSWD FO I Holds 4Ps Field Visit in San Carlos City
The DSWD Field Office I – 4Ps Regional Independent Monitoring Committee (RIMC) recently held its second field visit in Barangay Ilang, San Carlos City, Pangasinan, according to the office’s Facebook page.
The activity marked the first time that DSWD FO I used the Enhanced RIMC Tool – Community Scorecard on Family Development Sessions (FDS). This tool aims to help establish social accountability among FDS facilitators and 4Ps beneficiaries.
Aside from administering the RIMC tool, DSWD FO I also held a gift-giving activity during the event. City Social Welfare and Development Officer (CSWDO) Maria Lorceli A, Estrada thanked the RIMC for their help in guiding and assisting the 4Ps beneficiaries.
Image Credit: DSWD Field Office 1 / Facebook
DSWD FO I Helps Disaster-Affected Families in San Juan
On August 14, 2024, around 794 families affected by Super Typhoon Carina in San Juan, La Union received Family Food Packs (FFPs), the DSWD Field Office I Facebook page reported.
It may be recalled that before the end of July, the country was hit by Super Typhoon Carina and Habagat (monsoon) rains. These affected the livelihood of many families in Region I.
Image Credit: DSWD Field Office 1 / Facebook
DSWD FO I Helps 52K Typhoon-Affected Families
DSWD Field Office I has helped a total of 52,214 families by Super Typhoon Carina and Habagat rains in the region, providing assistance worth PHP 51.97 million, according to a DSWD press release.
The assistance includes Family Food Packs (FFPs) and Non-Food Items (NFIs), which are part of the DSWD’s efforts towards helping families and communities affected by disasters.
According to the latest report, Super Typhoon Carina has affected 118,689 families with 419,638 individuals across Region I.
Image Credit: fo1.dswd.gov.ph
How to Apply for Jobs in DSWD Field Office I – Ilocos Region
Are you interested in working for the DSWD? Before you apply, though, be sure to prepare the following documents:
- 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 the necessary documents, you can apply for a job with DSWD Field Office I online. Simply follow these steps:
- Visit the official website of DSWD Field Office I and click on the “Opportunities” tab.
- Click on the latest job openings to view the available positions. For each vacancy, the salary grade, area of assignment, qualifications, and job summary are presented.
- If you see a job that you’d like to apply for, click on the google link form onscreen and fill up the necessary information. Don’t forget to upload the necessary attachments or supporting documents.
Video: Typhoon-Affected Family Thanks DSWD
After the onslaught of Super Typhoon Carina, DSWD Field Office I has been quick to provide relief assistance to affected families. In this video, one of these families thanks the DSWD for the Family Food Pack, Hygiene Kit, and Sleeping Kit that they received:
Contact Information: DSWD Field Office I – Ilocos Region
For those who have questions for DSWD Field Office I, you can get in touch with the office through the following contact details:
Address: Quezon Avenue, San Fernando City, 2500, La Union
Telephone: (072) 687 8000
Email: fo1@dswd.gov.ph
Website: https://fo1.dswd.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dswdfo1/
Google Map Location
Final Thoughts
Time and time again, DSWD Field Office I has played an important role in the lives of many people in the Ilocos Region. Today, the office continues to fulfill the DSWD’s noble mandate: protecting and promoting the welfare of every Filipino.
Meanwhile, check out this link to see the full list of DSWD Regional Offices in the Philippines.