The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its General Administration and Support Services Group (GASSG), conducted its first-ever large-scale medical and legal mission for employees on Tuesday (December 9) at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.
With the theme “Health and Legal Well-Being on Wheels: Strengthening DSWD Personnel Well-Being and Legal Access,” the event, in partnership with the Hospital on Wheels (HOW) and Friends Who Care LLC (FWC), offered comprehensive medical, surgical, dental, optical, and legal services directly to the Department’s employees.
The medical and legal mission include services such as medical consultation, surgical screening and procedures for deformities, dental consultation and extraction, optical checkups and updating of prescriptions, vision screening with free reading glasses, and legal consultation with lawyers.
Present during the activity were Undersecretary Atty. Edward Justine Orden of GASSG, Undersecretary Evelyn Aribon, Cluster Head of the Office of the Secretary (OSEC), Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), Department employees, and volunteers of HOW. (CC)
DSWD partners with volunteer doctors, lawyers for well-being, legal access of employees
As the country celebrates National Volunteers Month, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), partnered with volunteer doctors of the Hospital on Wheels (HOW) and Friends Who Care LLC (FWC), in its first-ever large-scale medical mission for its employees on Tuesday (December 9) at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.
The DSWD’s General Administration and Support Services Group (GASSG) also partnered with volunteer lawyers to provide free legal consultation and assistance to employees.
The “Health and Legal Well-Being on Wheels: Strengthening DSWD Personnel Well-Being and Legal Access,” marks a milestone for the Department as it intensifies efforts to safeguard the health, welfare, and legal protection of its employees — the DSWD’s “Angels in Red Vest (ARV).”
In his opening message, GASSG Undersecretary Atty. Edward Justine Orden emphasized the historic nature of the event and its significance to the Department.
“Ito po ‘yung first-ever DSWD medical and legal mission of this magnitude. Hindi po ito consultation lamang—may surgery po ito. First time po ito sa DSWD,” Undersecretary Orden said.
The HOW, founded by Dr. Jim Sanchez and established by RP Healthcraft Carrier Foundation in 2007, brought its mobile hospital to the DSWD Central Office and offered medical consultations, surgical screenings, minor surgical procedures, dental services, and optical assessments through its volunteer doctors, nurses, and health professionals.
The FWC, a US-based non-profit organization, offered their services to DSWD’s ARVs which include surgical and medical care.
Undersecretary Orden noted that the initiative reflects the leadership of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, whose priority is to institutionalize programs that directly support the Department’s personnel.
“Isa po ito sa magiging legacy ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian, [ito po ay] manifestation ng kanyang pagmamahal sa DSWD,” the GASSG undersecretary said.
Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), who is also the DSWD spokesperson, highlighted the broader importance of the mission.
“This mission reflects how the DSWD family cares for its own people, because when our workers are healthy, supported, and protected, they are better able to serve the public,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
The agency spokesperson also pointed out the value of investing in the health of the DSWD personnel.
“Ang ating mga workers ay nasa frontlines ng social protection. Sila ang unang sumasagot sa panahon ng sakuna at krisis. Kaya mahalaga na maramdaman nila ang suporta lalo na sa kanilang kalusugan at kapakanan,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao stressed.
The medical and legal mission provided DSWD personnel access to free medical consultation, surgical screening and procedures, dental consultation and extraction, eye checkup and vision screening with free reading glasses, and also legal consultation.
DSWD personnel who availed of medical and legal services expressed their gratitude for holding the event right inside their workplace.
Cecil Belara, a janitorial staff who availed of free optical consultation and reading glasses, shared her experience in having a free medical service.
“Maganda na pumunta sila mismo sa work namin. Malaking tulong po sa mga tulad namin na hindi nakakapagpa-checkup kasi busy sa trabaho,” Belara said.
Administrative Officer (AO) Sheila Adao, who received legal consultation, also offered her thoughts on the mission.
“Minsan wala na talaga tayong time kapag may mga concern tayo so minsan parang gusto ko na lang siyang hayaan kasi wala nga akong time. Dahil sa merong ganito, malaki talagang tulong kasi sila na yung lumalapit sayo. Hindi ko kailangan umabsent, hindi ko kailangan mag-file ng leave. Sana magkaroon pa ulit ng ganitong serbisyo,” AO Adao said.
The DSWD continues to strengthen employee welfare initiatives as part of Secretary Gatchalian’s thrust to support, protect, and empower the Department’s workforce. (CC)
