The island of Siargao, the Agusan Marsh, white-sand beaches, and caves — these are just some of the breathtaking natural wonders that can be found in Region 13 (XIII), also known as “Caraga Region.” It is located in the northeastern part of Mindanao.
As one of the administrative regions of the Philippines, Region XIII is home to several field offices of national agencies. Among them is the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), an agency that is mandated to protect the rights and social welfare of Filipinos, while promoting social development.
Location of DSWD Field Office XIII – Caraga Region
DSWD Field Office XIII is situated in Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte. It works closely with the following DSWD Crisis Intervention Section (CIS) offices throughout the region:
- CIS DSWD Field Office Caraga — Butuan City, Agusan del Norte;
- CIS Satellite Office Agusan del Sur District 1 and 2 — San Francisco, Agusan del Sur;
- CIS Satellite Office Surigao del Norte District 1 and 2 — Dapa, Surigao del Norte;
- CIS Satellite Office Province of Dinagat Islands — San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands;
- CIS Satellite Office Surigao del Sur District 1 — Tandag City, Surigao del Sur;
- CIS Satellite Office Surigao del Sur District 2 — Tagbina, Surigao del Sur;
- CIS Satellite Office Surigao del Sur District 1 — Cantilan, Surigao del Sur; and
- CIS Satellite Office Surigao del Sur District 2 — Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
Cities/Municipalities Under DSWD Field Office XIII – Caraga Region
DSWD Field Office XIII covers the provinces that make up the Caraga Region: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands.
Agusan del Norte has 10 municipalities and one component city, Cabadbaran, which is also the provincial capital. Notable, the highly urbanized city of Butuan is geographically located here, but it is administered independently from the province.
Meanwhile, the province of Agusan del Sur consists of 13 municipalities and one city, Bayugan City. The municipality of Prosperidad serves as the provincial capital.
Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur have 20 and 17 municipalities, respectively. Surigao del Norte has one city, Surigao, which serves as the provincial capital. Surigao del Sur has two cities: Bislig, and Tandag, which is the provincial capital.
Finally, Dinagat Islands province has seven municipalities. The municipality of San Jose serves as the provincial capital.
Key Programs and Services
Just like other DSWD regional offices nationwide, Field Office XIII provides these main programs and services:
Listahanan. Carried out by the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), Listahanan is a database that contains names, addresses, and other details about “the poorest of the poor” in the country.
Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Delivered via two tracks, Micro-enterprise Development (ME) and Employment Facilitation (EF), this community-based, capacity building initiative seeks to improve the socioeconomic status of its participants.
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). This is the Philippine government’s national anti-poverty program. It aims to empower low-income households through conditional cash transfers that come in the form of educational grants, health grants, rice subsidies, and other benefits.
Center and Residential Care Facilities. These facilities aim to meet the needs of vulnerable sectors like street children, recovering drug users, victims of domestic violence, and abandoned elderly. The DSWD-run and accredited facilities in Region XIII are:
- Bahay Pag-Asa (Home for Children in Conflict with the Law) — Tubay, Agusan del Norte;
- Home for Girls — Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; and
- Regional Rehabiltation Center for the Youth (RRCY) — Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP). In addition to their regular meals, young children in communities are provided nutritious, supplementary meals to boost their growth and good health.
Assistance to Individuals In Crisis Situations (AICS). This refers to a range of services given to individuals, families, and communities in crisis. It includes food assistance, transportation assistance, medical assistance, and other services.
Disaster Response Management Services. In times of natural and man-made disasters, DSWD provides relief assistance, emergency shelter, cash-for-work programs, and other services to affected families and communities.
Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – National Community-Driven Development Program (Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP). Another community-based program, Kalahi CIDDS-NCDPP aims to improve the socioeconomic status of the poor while simultaneously building the capacity of local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders.
Adoption and Foster Care. When it comes to placing children under adoption or foster care, the process is overseen by the DSWD.
Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP). This program involves a package of services — emergency shelter, legal services, medical services, counseling, and more — all of which are provided to victims of human trafficking.
Recent Achievements and Milestones
DSWD Field Office XIII works tirelessly in carrying out various social and development programs. Here are some of the office’s latest achievements, according to its Facebook page:
DSWD FO 13 Distributes FFPs in Dinagat Islands
DSWD Caraga Region remains committed to helping families in need, especially those who have been affected by Southwest Monsoon rains. Recently, it distributed Family Food Packs (FFPs) to families in the Province of Dinagat Islands.
As of September 20, 2024, around 500 affected families received FFPs, bringing the total number of distributed food packs to 3,461. The breakdown of distribution is as follows: Basilisa, 30; Libjo, 374; Cagdianao, 500; Loreto, 1,984; and Dinagat, 600.
Image Credit: DSWD Caraga / Facebook
Sama-Bajau Children Receive School Supplies and Hygiene Kits
DSWD FO 13 distributed school supplies and hygiene kits to 218 Sama-Bajau children in Surigao City, as part of the DSWD’s Comprehensive Program for Children, Families, Indigenous People, and Other Individuals in Street Situations (COMPRE Program).
The activity was done on September 26, 2024 at Taft National High School in Surigao City.
Image Credit: DSWD Caraga / Facebook
DSWD FO 13 Joins National Filipino Elderly Week Celebrations
DSWD Caraga Region joined the Elderly Filipino Week One Stop Shop Caravan held at SM City Butuan Events Center on October 2, 2024. The event was held as part of National Filipino Elderly Week, which runs from October 1 to 7, 2024.
Image Credit: DSWD Caraga / Facebook
How to Apply for Jobs in DSWD Field Office XIII – Caraga Region
From time to time, DSWD Caraga Region posts job vacancies on its official Facebook page and website. Those who are thinking of applying should take time to gather 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).
Applicants can apply for a job through the DSWD Caraga Integrated Recruitment Information System (IRIS). Here is a step-by-step guide to the application process online:
- Go to the DSWD Caraga IRIS website.
- Click the “Job Vacancies” tab to view the latest job vacancies. The salary grade, location, and deadline for submission are presented.
- Click “Read More Details” to go to the Vacancy Details Page, which features more information about the job.
- Click “Apply Now” to submit an application. You will need to create an account or profile within the IRIS platform for this purpose.
- After submitting your application, you will receive an automated email or text notification about the status of your application.
- From time to time, you can check the status of your application (i.e. under review, in progress, etc.) by logging into your IRIS account.
NOTE: Application to DSWD Caraga IRIS is done online, so there is no need for you to submit a hardcopy of your documents. Also, you can apply for multiple job vacancies at the same time.
Video: DSWD Caraga Region Programs and Services
Occasionally, DSWD Caraga Region shares highlights of the programs and services it has provided. Here is a video featuring the office’s activities for the period of August 12-18, 2024:
Contact Information: DSWD Field Office XIII – Caraga Region
Queries and concerns for DSWD Caraga Region may be addressed to:
Address: R. Palma St., Butuan City, 8600 Agusan Del Norte
Telephone: (085) 303-8620
Email: focrg@dswd.gov.ph
Website: https://caraga.dswd.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dswdcaraga/
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
As one of the DSWD’s field offices, DSWD Field Office XIII is tasked to ensure that the agency’s programs and services are able to reach the people of Caraga Region. Meanwhile, check out this list of all DSWD Regional Offices nationwide.