INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM

FOR : THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS

FROM : THE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT OFFICER III

SUBJECT : FEEDBACK REPORT ON JOINT TWG ON DEVOLUTION AND

TWG
ON CO REORGANIZATION

DATE : 17 MARCH 2020

This is to provide the Assistant Secretary feedback on the Joint TWG on Devolution and
TWG on CO Reorganization Meeting last 15 March 2021.

The meeting was presided by ASec. Joseline Niwane. This was attended by the 38
participants which were the members of both the TWG of Devolution and TWG on CO
Reorganization.

The objective of the meeting was to present the enhanced Mission, Vision, Functions
and Structure of the DSWD, and to get the updates of the concerned offices to their
respective activities.

The following were the highlights of the meeting:

Topic Updates
Enhanced Mission, ▪ With the conducted session on the confirmation of what
Vision, Functions, and will be done relative to the V,M,F, and S, 8 members of
Structure the Mancom have responded, 5 from Execom, and 5
from the RDs. 45 individuals did not submit their
response to the confirmation form, and therefore was
taken as concurrence to the proposed V,M,F, and S.
Meanwhile, the remaining 18 have provided their
comments to the V,M,F,S.
▪ The comments of the 18 individuals were subsequently
presented. The comments of Usec. Joer and Usec. Dan to
remove the phrase ​As the authority in the social welfare
and development sector, w ​ ill be further discussed by the
TWG.
▪ There are 14 proposed Core Functions. ​Develop social
welfare and development models of intervention, and
maintain social laboratories to address emerging SWD
concerns; (Programs and Standards Group) ​and
Demonstrate SWD programs, projects and services
provided by law and other specialized programs needed
to alleviate poverty and to empower the poor and
disadvantaged sectors; (Programs and Standards Group)
 was separated to emphasize and to clarify the functions
as to where it is in the structure.
▪ The previous core function ​to provide technical
supervision to the social welfare workforce ​was re-stated.
As discussed by Mancom and as per the comments,
instead of including that, it was decided to be phrased
more specifically. Therefore, it was changed into ​Provide
SWD partners and intermediaries with technical
assistance to include capacity building programs and
learning and development interventions, as well as the
provision of resources to complement or augment the
efficient and effective delivery of services; (Capacity
Building Group).
▪ For the proposed structure, the AOC Group is still being
discussed whether or not it should be included under
the OSec Group. Usec. Dan, in his comment, explained
that the AOC is under operations and that is a daily need
which needs the immediate decision of the Secretary.
▪ Usec. Luz also commented that a Media Relations Group
should be included under OSec. to cater to the
requirements and needs of the Secretary. This is to be
further discussed and decided.
▪ USec. Gaviola is asking where the USec. for the DRMG
will go. With the discussion with the DBM, DSWD needs
to recommend a USec for Cap Build (if there is a person
occupying the plantilla for the Usec. Position for DRMG,
it cannot be converted. Conversion is only applicable for
vacant items), and recommend if the DRMG Usec will be
transferred to the DDR or retain a DRMG.
Open Forum on the ▪ ASec. Glenda explained that the CIPMO is being pushed
Enhanced VMFS by the Operations Group to be separate from PMB
because CIPMO will take charge of the inter-regional
crisis situation, Malasakit Centers, and the Presidential
directives (fund within absorptive capacity of the
Department). If this will be under the PMB, it will
challenge the workloading and signing authority of the
Director.
▪ ASec. Joyce also mentioned DRMG will be a separate
cluster, as recommended by DBM. It will not be included
under Programs due to the Undersecretary in DRMG.
▪ The comment that the SMS Group should be included in
the OSec or Office of the RD in order to communicate
the advocacies and plans to the public will be further
discussed with the TWG on Reorganization.
Status of the Mapping ▪ To further gain greater clarity in the assignment of
functions across the different levels of government, a
mapping tool was shared with the ALSWDOPI to identify
 financial and human resources, devolved services, and
to assess LGUs’ readiness and absorptive capacity.
▪ 70% accomplishment rate for the provinces, 46% from
cities, and 65% from municipalities.
▪ For the initial results, out of the seven sectors, 38% of
the LGUs recognized Emergency Welfare as the top 1 in
demand program/service followed by Child and Youth
Welfare with 30%.
▪ There are only a few Social Workers in the LGUs. The
matrices in the presentation show that the demand for
most positions including SWO V and SWO IV is lower in
the municipalities compared to cities and provinces.
With the current designation of one (1) SWO V, both
cities and provinces still proposed allocating three more
personnel for this position. Currently, the SWO V acts as
the Local Social Welfare Development Officer. So given
this proposal, perhaps we could rethink the current
structure of staffing at the LGUs e.g. designating an
overall head of office
▪ The TA most received by the LGU is from the Child and
Youth Sector (86%) while the least received is from the
Persons with Disabilities Sector (64%). This is most
likely because persons with disabilities are working
hard to establish the PDAO.
▪ As for the satisfaction on the TA provided by the DSWD,
more than half or 73% of the LGU respondents were
satisfied with the necessary technical assistance they
received. This includes case management protocol for
child abuse cases and chidren in need of Social
Protection, Orientation on Centenarian Act, strategic
planning, among others.
▪ A comprehensive technical assistance plan for key
implementers based on the identified gaps and issues
experienced by the LGUs should still be developed and
enhanced.
▪ For the readiness of the LGUs, One indicator used to
establish this is the readiness to implement programs
and services to be devolved by the DSWD. 69% of the
respondents claimed that they are ready, while 6.5%
said that they are not yet ready.
Open Forum on the ▪ According to Dir. Dola, since there will be a deeper
Mapping Tool analysis of the results, it is interesting to note that even
though there is a high readiness rating, there is still a
need for more staff in the LGUs. This was noted and will
be looked into by the PDPB.
Action Needed from ▪ PDPB on the Finalization of Draft Guidelines: Ongoing
the Responsible Offices consolidation of input and submission to Mancom and
 Execom. Session with SLP will be rescheduled within the
week.
▪ SMS on the immediate finalization and roll out of Comm
Plan: They are still incorporating and finalizing all the
revisions. Right now, they are producing the
infographics for the Devolution.
▪ PDPB on the engagement of the DILG and develop a JMC
on the full devolution of social welfare services: They
are waiting for the signed TO. There is an ongoing
informal coordination with DILG counterparts.
▪ SWIDB on the conduct a workshop on the LSWDO
Structure: SWIDB will be meeting with the Secretariat
for the objectives of the workshop.
▪ PDPB on the result of the LSWDO Mapping with initial
assessment.
▪ OUS-SP on the meeting with EXECOM (Presentation of
VMF and Structure): Execom is expecting the
presentation of the draft AO and EO for the VMF and
structure and PDPB will route the draft within the week.

The following are the Summary of Agreements during the meeting:

Next Steps Responsible Timeline
Office

● DRMG will be a separate cluster TWG on CO Reorg

● Retain AOC in the PPG
● Reconsider CIPMO as separate
from PMB
● Establish a Media Relations Team
under OSEC, where the
Spokesperson will be lodged;
Clarify the enhanced function of
SMS
● RM be separate from OSM

Propose a new nomenclature for the Operations Group March 19

retained interregional financial
assistance

TWG Secretariat to discuss with SWIDB TWG on Devo Sec 4th week of March
for the preparations on the Workshop for and SWIDB
the LSWDO Structure
- ALSWOPI and Standards Bureau
to be represented
Zero draft of the EO for the DSWD TWG on Dev March 19
Functions and AO for the VMF within the TWG on CO
week by the Secretariat Structure

Concerned OBS to prepare 2 versions of Concerned OBS March 17-19

their budget proposals to ensure that we
are prepared ;

PBSC to issue guidance on this PBSC

Updated schedule on the Discussion on TWG on Devo Sec TBD with SLP
the Manual of Operations

Draft Guidelines to contain provisions TWG, HRMDS 4th Week of March

with our Contractuals/ MOAs; Set a
meeting to discuss

For the reference of the Assistant Secretary, here is the link to the Presentation used by
the PDPB during the meeting:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D2gWXQQlVol68p5HF3-399iFhJ4oQeLo/view?usp=s
haring

Currently, there is no immediate action needed from our office.

For the Assistant Secretary’s information. Thank you.

KEZIAH NOELLE R. PAQUINGAN