DSWD Field Office 8 – Eastern Visayas

The famous San Juanico Bridge is one of the longest bridges in the Philippines. It connects the islands of Samar and Leyte — which, together with Biliran Island — make up Region VIII or the Eastern Visayas Region. This is actually the least populated region in the Visayas, with around 4.5 million residents as of 2020.

Nonetheless, just like in other regions, the people of Eastern Visayas benefit from government programs, including those offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Its initiatives are implemented through DSWD’s Field Office VIII.

Location of DSWD Field Office VIII – Eastern Visayas

DSWD Field Office VIII – Eastern Visayas is located at the Government Center in Baras, Palo, Leyte. It also has offices in: Tacloban City, Leyte; Catbalogan City, Samar; and Catarman, Northern Samar.

Cities/Municipalities Under DSWD Field Office VIII – Eastern Visayas

DSWD Field Office VIII covers the Eastern Visayas Region, which consists of six provinces: Biliran, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, and Southern Leyte.

The island province of Biliran is made up of eight municipalities, with Naval as the provincial capital.

Meanwhile, Samar province has 24 municipalities and two cities: Calbayog City and Catbalogan City (provincial capital). Northern Samar is also composed of 24 municipalities, with Catarman as the provincial capital. As for Eastern Samar, it has 22 municipalities and one city, Borongan, which also serves as the provincial capital.

Notably, Leyte province has the most number of towns in the region — 40 municipalities, and three cities: Baybay, Ormoc, and Tacloban City (provincial capital). Finally, Southern Leyte is made up of 18 towns and one city, Maasin City, which is also the provincial capital.

Key Programs and Services

DSWD Field Office VIII, along with other regional offices, carries out the following programs and services of the department:

Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP). Victims of human trafficking, exploitation, and similar offenses can expect to receive an extensive range of services from the DSWD, including temporary shelter, medical services, legal services, livelihood assistance, and more.

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. More popularly known by its acronym, “4Ps,” this program provides educational grants, health grants, and other services to “the poorest of the poor” families. It is the flagship anti-poverty program of the Philippine government.

Listahanan. To help determine and identify the poorest households in the country, the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) operates the Listahanan database. This serves as one of the basis for choosing beneficiaries of the 4Ps program and other initiatives.

Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP). As the name says, this program provides supplementary meals, particularly for young children in various communities around the country.

Sustainable Livelihood Program. Involving two tracks, Employment Facilitation and Micro-enterprise Development, this community-based, capacity-building program aims to improve the socioeconomic status of its participants.

Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – National Community-Driven Development Program (Kalahi CIDSS-NCDDP). This community-based program also seeks to uplift the socioeconomic status of its participants. At the same time, it aims to build the capacity of local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders.

Center and Residential Care Facilities. These include DSWD facilities and DSWD-accredited centers that cater to the needs of victims of domestic violence, recovering drug dependents, and other vulnerable sectors. Here’s a list of such facilities in Region VIII:

• Bahay Pag-asa – Biliran in Naval, Biliran;
• God’s Love Center for Women and Children in Catbalogan, Western Samar;
• Women and Children’s Center – Tacloban in Tacloban City, Leyte;
• Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) in Palo, Leyte;
• Home for Girls in Palo, Leyte;
• Regional Haven for Women (RHW) in Palo, Leyte; and
• Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY) in Tanauan, Leyte.

Adoption and Foster Care. Those who are interested in fostering or adopting a child must inquire with the DSWD, which manages these programs.

Assistance to Individuals In Crisis Situations (AICS). Individuals, families, and communities who are facing crisis situations can turn to the DSWD for medical assistance, transportation assistance, livelihood assistance, and other services.

Disaster Response Management Services. Specifically designed for families and communities experiencing natural calamities or man-made disasters, these services include relief assistance, emergency shelter, cash-for-work programs, and other interventions.

Recent Achievements and Milestones

DSWD Field Office VIII actively performs the various programs of the department. Here are some of its recent achievements, based on posts at the DSWD Eastern Visayas Facebook page:

DSWD FO8 Distributes Cash-for-Training and Work Pay

DSWD Field Office VIII distributed Cash-for-Training and Work (CFTW) pay as part of Project LAWA and BINHI (Local Adaptation to Water Access and Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished). The pay was given to 185 partner-beneficiaries on September 7, 2024 in Maslog, Eastern Samar.

Project LAWA and BINHI’s CFTW program provides people with financial assistance, while developing their skills in doing livelihood projects. Each beneficiary received PHP 7,500 as financial support.

Project LAWA and BINHI Beneficiaries Create Vegetable Garden

In Barangay Sabang, Oras, Eastern Samar, 31 partner-beneficiaries of Project LAWA and BINHI planted vegetables in a community garden. Using wood and coconut husks, they even formed a garden bed into different letters, spelling out the name of their barangay.

According to a Facebook post last September 10, 2024, some of the vegetables planted by the community in their garden are eggplant, okra, pechay, and string beans.

DSWD FO8 Places Family Food Packs in Silago, Southern Leyte

DSWD Field Office VIII placed 1,000 Family Food Packs (FFPs) at LGU Silago, Southern Leyte on September 12, 2024, as part of the office’s “pre-positioning” initiative.

“Pre-positioning” is one of the DSWD’s strategies in preparing for disasters. By placing FFPs cross different locations, they can easily respond and provide relief assistance in times of disasters.

How to Apply for Jobs in DSWD Field Office VIII – Eastern Visayas

Occasionally, DSWD Field Office VIII announces job vacancies through its official website and Facebook page. But before you apply, make sure that you 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).

Once you are ready to apply, simply follow these steps:

1. Visit the official website of DSWD Field Office VIII. Click “Opportunities,” then select “Job Vacancy” and “Notice of Vacancies.”
2. Conduct a job search by selecting your preferred “Job Type” (i.e. Contract of Service, Contractual, Job Order, or Permanent) and “Job Location” (e.g. Budget Section, Capacity Building Section, Catarman Northern Samar, etc.).
3. Click on the job vacancy that you’re interested in. The screen will display information such as the salary grade, area of assignment, qualifications, and job description.
4. To apply, submit your application, along with the supporting documents, to DSWD Field Office VIII in person. You can also send an email to jobs.fo8@dswd.gov.ph.
5. As you wait for the result of your application, you can also check its status online. Go to the official website of DSWD Field Office VIII, click “Opportunities,” “Job Vacancy,” then select “Notice of Shortlisted Applicants” or “Notice of Newly Appointed Employees.”

Video: Community Garden Benefits People in Northern Samar

In Catubig, Northern Samar, a 20 x 20 square meter land has been transformed into a community garden as part of Project LAWA and BINHI. This video features the beautiful garden, planted with bean sprouts, kangkong, okra, peanuts, and more:

Contact Information: DSWD Field Office VIII – Eastern Visayas

Questions and concerns for DSWD Field Office VIII may be addressed to the following contact details:

Address: Government Center, Baras, Palo, Leyte
Telephone: (053) 321 3322
Email: fo8@dswd.gov.ph
Website: https://fo8.dswd.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dswdeasternvisayas/

Google Map:

Final Thoughts

For the residents of Eastern Visayas, availing of various government programs is made easier, thanks to DSWD Field Office VIII. Meanwhile, here is a list of all DSWD regional offices in the country!