DSWD Field Office 9 – Zamboanga Peninsula

Protecting and promoting the rights and social welfare of people is very important. In the Philippines, this noble task is carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which is one of the executive departments of the Philippine government.

With a central office in Quezon City, the DSWD has regional offices across the country. One of these offices is in Region IX or the Zamboanga Peninsula in Mindanao. Formerly known as Western Mindanao, Region 9 (IX) is among the places covered by the DSWD.

Location of DSWD Field Office IX – Zamboanga Peninsula

DSWD Field Office IX is located in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur. Moreover, there are provincial Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) teams in Isabela, Ipil, Pagadian, Liloy, and Dipolog.

Cities/Municipalities Under DSWD Field Office IX – Zamboanga Peninsula

DSWD Field Office IX covers the three provinces that make up the Zamboanga Peninsula: Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga del Sur.

Zamboanga del Norte has 25 municipalities and two cities: Dapitan City and Dipolog City, which serves as the provincial capital. Meanwhile, Zamboanga Sibugay is composed of 16 municipalities, with Ipil as the provincial capital.

Finally, the province of Zamboanga del Sur is comprised of 26 municipalities and two cities: Zamboanga City, a highly urbanized city; and Pagadian City, which serves as the provincial capital.

Key Programs and Services

Along with other regional offices around the country, DSWD Field Office IX implements the following programs:

Adoption and Foster Care. The process of placing children under foster care or adoption is managed by the DSWD.

Assistance to Individuals In Crisis Situations (AICS). A range of services given to individuals, families, and communities in crisis, AICS involves the provision of medical assistance, transportation assistance, livelihood assistance, and more.

Center and Residential Care Facilities. Abandoned or neglected children, victims of domestic violence, and other vulnerable sectors are cared for in various DSWD facilities. In Region IX, these facilities include the following:

• Balay Dangpanan sa Kabataan (BDSK) – Home for Girls in Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte;
• Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY) in Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte;
• Area Vocational and Rehabilitation Center (AVRC) III in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur;
• DSWD Processing Center for Displaced Persons in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur;
• Home for the Elderly in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur;
• Home for Women in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur; and
• Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur.

Disaster Response Management Services. In cases of natural calamities or man-made disasters, the 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). Improving the socioeconomic status of the poor and building the capacity of local government units (LGU) are the main goals of this community-based, poverty alleviation initiative.

Listahanan. To help identify and locate “the poorest of the poor” Filipino households, the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) uses Listahanan as a database.

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. More popularly known as “4Ps,” this program aims to uplift the lives of the poor by giving them conditional cash transfers in the form of educational grants, health grants, rice subsidy, and other interventions.

Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP). Victims of human trafficking are the target beneficiaries of this program, which provides temporary shelter, basic services, medical services, legal assistance, livelihood assistance, and more.

Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP). In addition to regular meals, supplementary meals are provided to young children under this program, to help ensure their good health and nutrition.

Sustainable Livelihood Program. This is a community-based program that aims to build the capacity of its participants, thus enabling them to improve their socioeconomic status through two tracks: Employment Facilitation and Micro-enterprise Development.

Recent Achievements and Milestones

Let’s take a look at some of the latest achievements of DSWD Field Office IX, as shared through its official Facebook page:

Almost 2K Residents Receive Seed Capital Fund

September 13, 2024 — 1,899 residents from various municipalities in Zamboanga del Sur received their seed capital fund (SCF) as part of the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

Each resident received PHP 15,000, for a total of PHP 28,485,000 worth of SCF. The distribution was done during the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Tapat Para sa Lahat” event held at the Mega Gymnasium, Provincial Government Complex in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

4Ps Beneficiaries Receive Livelihood Assistance

In Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte, 30 beneficiaries of the 4Ps program recently received livelihood assistance through the DSWD’s Enhanced Support Intervention (ESSI), which is part of its Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) initiative.

This assistance is provided to 4Ps members who are part of Indigenous People (IP) groups. The said beneficiaries are part of the “Subanen” IP group. According to them, they will use the money (PHP 15,000 each) to expand their piggery business.

Meanwhile, other municipalities in Zamboange del Norte have also been given capital for their various ESSI projects.

DWD FO9 Provides Aid to Stranded Persons

On September 15, 2024, DSWD Field Office IX provided aid to 117 stranded individuals who were bound for Jolo, Sulu. Majority or 73 of them were student performers from Davao City.

The “strandees” were given hot meals, hygiene kits, and cash assistance. This event shows the DSWD’s dedication to helping those in need, especially during emergency situations.

How to Apply for Jobs in DSWD Field Office IX – Zamboanga Sibugay

DSWD Field Office IX occasionally posts job announcements through its official website and Facebook page. If you are interested in applying, don’t forget to prepare the following 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).

To apply for a job at DSWD Field Office IX, follow these steps:

1. Go to the official website of DSWD Field Office IX, click “Publication” then select “Job Opportunities.”
2. The page will display the schedules for the latest job vacancies, including the deadline for submission, date of IQ exam, date of hands-on exam, and so on. Click the section “HERE” to view more details about the job openings.
3. The screen will display the latest job vacancies. For each job title, the qualification requirements (education, training), eligibility, salary grade, and place of assignment are shown.
4. Submit your application via email or in person: (a) Email your application to dswdfo9onlineapplication@gmail.com; OR (b) Bring your application to the nearest DSWD Regional Offices at De Siete St., Purok Capitol Heights, Balangasan, Pagadian City, or at General Vicente Alvarez Street, Zone-IV, Zamboanga City.
5. Wait for the DSWD’s response to your application. Qualified applicants will be notified about further instructions and schedule through email, text, or call.

Video: KALAHI-CIDSS in Zamboanga Peninsula

Check out this video about the KALAHI-CIDSS program, which started in the Zamboanga Peninsula almost 20 years ago. In particular, the video highlights the Communify Driven Development (CDD) approach of the program:

Contact Information: DSWD Field Office IX – Zamboanga Peninsula

Inquiries for DSWD Field IX – Zamboana Peninsula may be addressed to the following contact details:

Address: W33J+C4G, General Vicente Alvarez St., Zamboanga, Zamboanga del Sur
Telephone: (062) 991 6030 / 0966 917 6953 / 0964 158 1192
Email: fo9@dswd.gov.ph
Website: https://fo9.dswd.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dswdzampen/

Google Map:

Final Thoughts

People living in the Zamboanga Peninsula can expect easy access to the government’s programs through DSWD Field Office IX. Meanwhile, here’s the full list of DSWD regional offices all over the country, for your reference!