Have you every been to SOCCSKSARGEN? Also known as Region XII, the acronym stands for four provinces and one highly urbanized city in Central Mindanao: South Cotabato (or Cotabato del Sur), North Cotabato (or Cotabato del Norte), Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos. Koronadal in South Cotabato is the regional center, whereas General Santos is the most populated city in the region.
As one of the administrative regions of the Philippines, SOCCSKSARGEN includes field offices of national government agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). This department is tasked with protecting the social welfare of Filipinos as well as promoting social development.

Location of DSWD Field Office XII – SOCCSKSARGEN
DSWD Field Office XII is situated in Koronadal City, South Cotabato. In addition, there are DSWD Crisis Intervention Section (CIS) Offices in the following locations within the region:
- Sarangani Province and General Santos City — Pendatun Avenue, General Santos City
- South Cotabato Province — Barangay Zone 3, Koronadal City
- South Cotabato – Upper Valley Areas — Barangay Libertad, Surallah
- Sultan Kudarat Province — Poblacion, Tacurong City
- Cotabato City — San Isidro St, Cotabato City
- Province of Cotabato — Brgy. Sudapin, Kidapawan City
Cities/Municipalities Under DSWD Field Office XII – SOCCSKSARGEN
DSWD Field Office XII covers the five provinces and highly urbanized city that comprise SOCCSKSARGEN: South Cotabato or Cotabato del Sur; North Cotabato or Cotabato del Norte; Sultan Kudarat; Sarangani; and General Santos City.
The province of South Cotabato is composed of 10 municipalities and one city, Koronadal, which serves as the provincial capital.
Meanwhile, North Cotabato has 12 municipalities and one city, Kidapawan, which is the provincial capital. Interestingly, eight of the province’s municipalities are also part of the special geographic area of the Bangsamoro region (an autonomous region).
As for Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani, these have 11 and seven municipalities, respectively. Sultan Kudarat has one city, Tacurong, though it is the municipality of Isulan that serves as the provincial capital. In Sarangani, Alabel serves as the provincial capital.
Finally, there’s General Santos, a highly urbanized city. This city is geographically located within the province of South Cotabato. However, it is administered independently from the province.
Key Programs and Services
Along with other regional offices across the Philippines, DSWD Field Office XII carries out the following key programs and services:
Disaster Response Management Services. These include a range of services for individuals, families, and communities affected by natural calamities or man-made disasters. Some examples are relief assistance, emergency shelter, cash-for-work programs, and more.
Assistance to Individuals In Crisis Situations (AICS). Speaking of disasters, the DSWD’s AICS program also provides different types of assistance to individuals and families in crisis. These include transportation assistance, meal provisions, and other services.
Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – National Community-Driven Development Program (Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP). A community-based program designed to uplift the socioeconomic status of the poor, this program also seeks to build the capacity of local government units (LGUs).
Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP). As the term says, this program is for victims of human trafficking, providing them with emergency shelter, psychosocial services, legal assistance, livelihood assistance, and other services.
Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP). In addition to regular meals, young children in communities are given supplementary, nutritious meals as part of this program.
Adoption and Foster Care. The DSWD is in charge of the processes for placing children in foster care or adoption.
Listahanan. This is an information management system for identifying and locating “the poorest of the poor,” operated by the the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR).
Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). This is a community-based program involving two tracks (Employment Facilitation and Micro-enterprise Development) and seeking to improve the socioeconomic status of its participants.
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). The flagship anti-poverty program of the Philippine government, 4Ps provides low-income households with educational grants, health grants, rice subsidies, and other forms of assistance.
Center and Residential Care Facilities. These are facilities catering to the needs of vulnerable sectors like victims of domestic violence, street children, abandoned and neglected senior citizens, and more. In Region XII, these facilities include:
- Center for the Handicapped — Cotabato City, Maguindanao
- Home for Women and Children of Cotabato Province — Kidapawan City, Cotabato
- Home for Girls and Women — Tantangan, South Cotabato
- Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) — Tantangan, South Cotabato
- Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY) — Tantangan, South Cotabato
- Sarangani Home for Girls and Women – Alabel, Sarangani
Recent Achievements and Milestones
Recently, DSWD Field Office XII has attained the following achievements, which are featured on its Facebook page:
DSWD FO 12 Celebrates Centenarian’s Birthday
DSWD SOCCSKSARGEN celebrated the 100th birthday of Sister Lily Gerard Padua Oliver, OND, a resident of Cotabato City. Turning 100 years old last September 17, 2024, she was given a PHP 100,000 cash gift and a Letter of Felicitation from the Office of the President.
Notably, Sister Lily is a former missionary at the Saint Joseph Retreat House in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

Image Credit: DSWD XII / Facebook
DSWD FO 12 Joins National Family Week 2024
DSWD SOCCSKSARGEN recently participated in the Monday flag ceremony for National Family Week 2024. “Pamilyang Tumutugon sa Pagbabago ng Panahon” was the theme of the event.

Image Credit: DSWD XII / Facebook
Almost 200 4Ps Beneficiaries Now Self-Sufficient
DSWD FO 12 held a “Pugay Tagumpay” ceremony last September 26, 2024 at Aleosan, Cotabato Province. A total of 186 4Ps beneficiaries had attained Level 3 (Self-Sufficient), which is the highest level of Social Welfare and Development Indicator (SWDI) in the 4Ps program.

Image Credit: DSWD XII / Facebook
How to Apply for Jobs in DSWD Field Office XII – SOCCSKSARGEN
DSWD SOCCSKSARGEN occasionally posts job announcements on its official website and Facebook page. Those who are interested to apply are advised to prepare these documents first:
- 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).
When applying for a job at DSWD Field Office XII, take note of these steps:
- Go to the official website of DSWD SOCCSKSARGEN.
- Browse the list of job vacancies displayed onscreen. These listings include the salary grade, place of assignment, job description, and other details about each job title/position.
- To apply, click on the link displayed onscreen. This will take you to a Google form, where you can enter your details, upload the required documents, and submit your application.
- Wait for an email, call, or text message from the DSWD regarding the status of your application and for further instructions.
Video: Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya 2024
The Sardido family from Alabel, Sarangani were recently hailed as “Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya” by DSWD Field Office XII. Watch this video to learn more about how the family’s inspiring story:
Contact Information: DSWD Field Office XII – SOCCSKSARGEN
Questions and concerns for DSWD Field Office XII may be sent through these contact details:
Address: Koronadal City, South Cotabato
Telephone: (083) 228 6080
Email: fo12@dswd.gov.ph
Website: https://fo12.dswd.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dswddose/
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
As one of the country’s administrative regions, SOCCSARGEN has field offices for major agencies such as the DSWD. Thanks to DSWD Field Office XII, the people here are able to benefit from the government’s various social development programs.
To see the complete list of DSWD Regional Offices in the Philippines, head to this link.