The Standards Bureau (SB), successfully conducted the second batch of the “Strengthening SWDA Foundations: Cultivating Core Competencies for Enhanced Service Delivery” from October 20 to 24, 2025 at the Madison 101 Hotel, Quezon City. The activity served as part of the Bureau’s continuous capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening the institutional foundations of SWDAs and promoting quality, ethical, and sustainable social welfare and development services nationwide.

This five-day activity aims to enhance the competencies of Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs), particularly the Board of Trustees, Executive/Program Directors, and Social Workers/Program Staff, and empower them to be compliant with existing regulatory standards set by the Department. Furthermore, it offers a strategic opportunity to define and deepen participants’ understanding of the critical roles of agency officials, emphasizing that their support and leadership are essential to the success and sustainability of their programs. 

In her opening message, Assistant Secretary for Regulatory Services, and Institutional Development Group (RSIDG) Janet P. Armas, CESO IV personally welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of the activity, “This activity aims to capacitate SWDAs in sustaining responsive and accountable social services to ensure that you are not only compliant with standards, but are also empowered to be more proactive, innovative, and effective in their mission to uplift the lives of the vulnerable sectors.”

Participants in the activity also included staff from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for RSIDG, the DSWD Academy, and the SB, as well as representatives from various SWDAs, fostering a collaborative learning environment that encouraged dialogue, experience-sharing, and stronger inter-agency coordination. (JACM)