Master in Social Work (MSW) faculty, Asst Prof. Pacita Dechavez Fortin, and several MSW alumni participated in the 23rd Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and the Asian Pacific Association for Social Work Education (APASWE) held on November 5-7, 2023 and the 75th national convention of the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI) on November 8-10, 2023 at the Waterfront Hotel, Cebu City.
Asst Prof. Fortin, who sits as member of PASWI National Board (2017-2023) served as chair of the Scientific Committee of the IFSW-APASWE-PASWI Regional Conference. She was one of the speakers at the Opening session who presented an overview of the conference with the theme, “The Sustainable Development Goals Halfway Point: Social Work’s Contributions to Social Development”. The event was attended by more 1,000 social workers from 20 countries.
During the PASWI National Convention attended by close to 3, 000 social workers with the theme, “Ensuring the Mental Wellness and Well-being of the Social Service Workforce”, Asst. Prof. Fortin also led a plenary discussion with social workers from different settings, on the topic, “The State of Mental Health, Wellness and Well-Being of Social Workers and the Philippine Social Service Workforce: Its Economic and Social Costs”. Senator Win Gatchalian graced the occasion as the convention’s special keynote speaker for PASWI’s 75th founding anniversary.
Two MSW alumni, Ms. Rosalie Dobles Dagulo (MSW 2022) and Ms Uricar Divina Diaz (MSW 2023) who submitted an abstract of the research paper they completed during their MSW program, were invited as presenters during the regional conference. Their abstracts were evaluated and accepted for presentation by the Scientific Committee composed of social work educators and practitioners from the Philippines, Japan, and Malaysia and representatives of IFSW, APASWE and PASWI.
Ms. Dagulo, who is currently the Division Chief and Concurrent OIC Deputy Program Manager for Operations of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) – National Program Management Office (NPMO) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) presented her paper, “Case Management of Children in Residential Care: Ensuring Children’s Permanence Placement” under SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (Panel 11-B).
Ms. Diaz, who is the Social Welfare Officer IV of the City Social Welfare and Development Office of the City Government of Sorsogon, discussed her paper, “Managing the Economic and Social Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: A Case Study of the Social Protection Programs of a Local Government Unit in Bicol, Southern Philippines” under SDG 1&2 – Social Work, Zero Poverty and Hunger (Panel 1-B).
Two graduates of MSW and the Post Graduate Diploma on Child Protection (PgD-CP) program who are based in Cebu City, also participated as facilitators of the parallel sessions during the regional conference and as documenters at the national convention: Ms. Margie Pinton, Section Head of the Capability Building Division, DSWD-Region VII and Ms Brigieda Goron, Provincial Link, DSWD Region VII. Both are now part-time faculty of University of Cebu- Social Work Department.
MC-MSW and PGD-CP alumni from different batches were also in attendance: MSW Batch 2021– Executive Director of Kaisahang Buhay Foundation, Inc., Ms. Glady Bunao; Executive Director of The Salvation Army Social Services Inc., Mr. Jeff B. Villafania; MSW Batch 2022: DSWD NCR Head of Bahay Silungan, Ms. Myrna Comota; MSW Batch 2023: Malinao Treatment and Rehabilitation Center social worker, Ms Javee Lovendino; MSW & PGD-CP Batch 2023: DSWD Caraga Division Chief for Child Protective Services, Ms Jessie Catherine Aranas, SWO V; DSWD Caraga Head of Center for Girls, Ms Marissa Garay, SWO III; Ms. Reji Pancho, Ms. Maria Consuelo Gonzales, Ms Reean Selma; DSWD X Reception and Study Center for Children Head Sean Pamela R. Balais, DSWD NCR Head of Community Based Social Services, Maria Cielo Agotilla, SWO III; DSWD NCR Specialist for Children and Youth & OIC Head, Nayon ng Kabataan, Ms Helena M. Pereyra, SWO IV; DSWD National Program Management Office Project Evaluation Officer III, Analiza Cabiliza-Soliven and Jackielou Perez; PGD-CP 2023: San Juan City City Social Welfare and Development Office, Ms Krishna Mae Salazar, SWO IV.
