Personnel of the DSWD Standards Bureau (SB) and Standards Section, including the Review Committee, Fact-Finding Team (FFT), and the Standards Monitoring and Enforcement Division (SMED), participated in a Reorientation and Upscaling activity held at the Madison Hotel in Quezon City from July 22 to 25, 2025.

The four-day activity aims to fully equip key personnel to handle complaints and enforce standards against erring Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs), as well as, ensuring compliance with Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2024 or the “Omnibus Guidelines on the Regulation of SWDAs.”

In addition, the participants focused on the legal framework and procedural aspects of the Omnibus Guidelines. They also gained essential skills in case build-up and fact-finding investigation processes, culminating in the ability to prepare comprehensive Fact-Finding Investigation Reports.

The activity saw significant support from agency leaders. Key officials present included Atty. Edward Justine R. Orden, Undersecretary for General Administration and Support Services Group (GASSG) and Atty. Megan Therese Y. Manahan, SB Director. Representatives from the National Authority for Child Care (NACC) also joined, including the Head of the Domestic Adoption Division Ms. Rosalie D. Preclaro and the Head of the Inter-Country Adoption Division Ms. Irene S. Fagayan, highlighting the joint commitment to standards in child welfare.

The successful reorientation marks a step in reinforcing the DSWD’s capacity to swiftly and effectively address violations and protect clients under the care of SWDAs. (MGCBA)