The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
I visited the beautiful City of Davao last week to cover the two-day NCSC-DSWD Joint Mindanao Conference at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, which turned out to be a huge success.
The pivotal meeting served as a takeoff point for the transfer of some duties and functions related to senior citizens, from DSWD to NCSC.
Breaking the ice was event host Comm. Ida Yap-Patron with her heartwarming welcome remarks and greetings to all participants.
NCSC Chairman Franklin Quijano delivered an awe-inspiring message on opening day as he thanked the DSWD officials for the cooperation that will pave the way for a smooth transition of duties and functions for the benefit of the elderly.
DSWD Undersecretary Rowena Nina Taduran delivered the keynote speech (via zoom) of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian that basically cited the NCSC for its desire and readiness to assume full responsibility in the ongoing DSWD-NCSC transition process.
Highlighting the event were three workshop activities on plans and programs related to social pension and centenarians, finance and administration.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao later shared that all reports and recommendations from the said workshops will be consolidated including its strategies and timelines.
She added that inputs of the said workshop plans and programs in Mindanao will then be submitted to NCSC and DSWD for consolidation and final output.
Comm. Edwin Espejo reminded the participants on the chronological events that led to this joint conference at hand as he explained the rationale of the whole activity.
NCSC Commissioners Enriqueta Rodeles, Reymar Mansilungan and Rainier Cruz stayed on the background but extended solid support to NCSC’s quest and aspirations of full authority in the implementation of programs, projects and services for the country’s 12 million senior citizens.
On the other side, the DSWD Central Office Change Management Team and its management committee also gave reports and presentations of its proposed transition plans and development programs for the senior citizens to NCSC.
The DSWD Mindanao Region heads in regions 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 also presented its respective presentation of proposed transition plans.
Among the speakers and presenters for the DSWD were Director Anna Nuguid of Human Resource Mgt and Dev’t Service, Director Wayne D. Belizar, Director IV of Financial Mgt Service and Atty Marlyn Talay, Atty. 3 of Legal Service.
The field offices in Mindanao clusters also presented a detailed report on personnel, programs and budget as prerequisites for a smooth and effective transition.
Adding spice to the already flavorful two-day event was Chairman Quijano’s meeting with the hardworking volunteers of NCSC online registration in Davao region.
The crucial event has paved the way for a smooth DSWD to NCSC transition, the country’s 12 million senior citizens have all been dreaming of.
(With a report from Doc. Chin Gallenero. Photo and video editing credits to Cliff Cabigon and Ian Celis)