‘ANGEL IN RED’. An employee of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera rappels from a tree in Barangay Gumatdang in Itogonm Benguet province to check on internally displaced residents affected by Super Typhoon Egay. DSWD personnel like her have come to be known as "angels in red" as they brave the elements clad in bright red vests to reach communities hit by calamities and bring munch needed assistance. (PNA photo from DSWD-CAR FB)
BAGUIO CITY – Personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Department (DSWD) who respond to calamities here have come to be known as "angels in red," hurdling the elements and rough terrain donning their brightly colored vests to reach people in need of assistance.
"We always highlight the importance of efficiency as we believe that service delayed is service denied," Leo Quintilla, regional director of the DSWD in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), told the Philippine News Agency.
The DSWD-CAR recently featured on their social media page three of its personnel who had to rappel and negotiate a slippery and eroded portion of a mountain to check on internally displaced residents of Gumatdang, Itogon, Benguet, and to validate the damaged houses there.
In areas like Cordillera, where temperatures can drop, DSWD personnel often opt for red jackets instead of vests.
Another post showed a social worker personally handing a farmer's pension while the latter tended to his rice farm in Mountain Province.
"Staying true to the commitment of DSWD for a speedy and caring service, our personnel regardless of which program they were hired for, go on the field not just to deliver services for the communities but also to gather information and provide technical assistance to our counterparts in the local government to ensure that the needs of the communities are properly addressed," said Quintilla, who is also vice chair of the regional disaster response cluster lead for food and non-food items.
He said the region's mountainous terrain always posed a challenge in the delivery of services in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA).
"Since most of our clients are in the GIDA areas, which are more difficult to reach during disasters and calamities, we are committed to bringing services closer to the people," he said.
"We would not want to add burden to the affected communities, " the director further said.
Quintilla said the department recognizes the sacrifices of the personnel in the delivery of our social services, and helps them through the Social Welfare Employees Association of the Philippines (SWEAP)-CAR.
He also said that personnel are encouraged to avail of the health insurance from the SWEAP.
"We have also been working with various private and public institutions to provide services to our personnel that might help in developing their well-being," the official said. (PNA)
