With the release of the September 2025 Social Worker Licensure Examination (SWLE) results, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which is the home to many social workers, is among those celebrating the inspiring stories of passers — a number of whom once received support from the DSWD and are now ready to answer the call to serve others.
Among the licensure exam passers was Amilbahar (not his real name), a child in conflict with the law (CICL) from Mindanao who has rebuilt his life through the help of the rehabilitative services of the DSWD.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, said the Department is proud to hear of Amilbahar’s achievements, particularly in the field of social work that has long been instrumental in upholding restorative justice for CICLs.
“Napakasaya lang isipin na naging malaki tayong bahagi sa kwento ng pagbabago at tagumpay ng batang ito. Imagine from the time na nakuha niya ang court order at napunta siya sa pangangalaga ng DSWD care facility, we were already a part of his journey. At kahit nga na-discharge na siya at na-reintegrate, the love and compassion he received under our care have gone a long way, even inspiring him to become a social worker himself,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said on Tuesday (September 23).
According to Asst. Secretary Dumlao, Amilbahar was referred to the DSWD’s Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) in Northern Mindanao.
During Amilbahar’s stay in the RRCY, he underwent counseling, values formation, and skills training that helped him confront his past while ensuring that he can change for the better and facilitate his integration into mainstream society in time.
Amilbahar also learned various skills like welding, masonry, gardening, and even music, and he eventually became a mentor or “kuya,” to younger residents over the years.
“From the police station I wanted to become a policeman. From my jail time, I wanted to join the BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology). From rehab, I wanted to be a social worker. The moment I was in rehab, it became clearer what I really wanted,” Amilbahar said in his local dialect during an interview with DSWD’s Field Office (FO) 10 – Northern Mindanao.
When he was discharged from the RRCY in March 2023, stigma and whispers over his past were constant challenges. However, the values Amilbahar assimilated from the care facility kept him going forward.
Amilbahar then completed a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, and shortly joined the 7,334 passers out of the 9,647 examinees nationwide, as announced by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
Now in his early 20s, Amilbahar plans to work with at-risk children, providing the same compassion and guidance that once helped him turn his life around.
“Nakaka-proud. His story highlights the importance of rehabilitation programs for children in conflict with the law — why we should not leave our children in the harsher environment of jails and throw away their chance for a better future. Instead, we must continue investing in rehabilitation efforts that value their potential to change and turn over a new leaf,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
As inspiring as this redemption story, this year’s SWLE results also saw newly licensed social workers who have been reached out by several social welfare and development programs of the Department such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program (TBTP).
In a Facebook post, the DSWD Field Office (FO) 5 – Bicol Region recognized two former 4Ps monitored children from Albay who both excelled in the September 2025 SWLE.
They are Cloudine Arienda of Barangay Bigaa in Legazpi City who placed 4th with a rating of 90.20 percent and May Bonavente of Barangay San Ramon in Tabaco City who ranked 9th with a rating of 89.20 percent.
Abdulrahman Madid of Mindanao State University – Marawi City also placed 9th. He once served as a youth development worker (YDW) under the DSWD’s Tara, Basa! at the Nanapun Elementary School.
Abdulrahman, who was in his senior year as a social work student when he worked as a YDW, described his experience as an affirmation of his love for his college course.
“Noong una, ang financial assistance ang pinaka-habol ko pero kalaunan, ang dami ko nang natutunan, at na-enjoy ko na ang maging development worker,” Abdulrahman said.
Abdulrahman said the program has helped enhanced his mentoring skills while also supporting his board exam review.
According to Asst. Secretary Dumlao, the narrative of the passers spotlights that beyond giving financial or crisis relief, the agency’s service also instills behavioral change and life-altering values to beneficiaries.
“Their stories collectively showcase the impact of the DSWD programs in empowering young Filipinos, turning challenges into opportunities, and even inspiring them to become part of the line of career that lifted, dignified and cared for them,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said. (LSJ)
