It's timely for the government to converge to make its social protection strategy more adaptive to the different risks and shocks including impacts of climate change and disasters.

This core goal was emphasized during the conduct of the Stocktaking Workshop on Adaptive and Shock-Responsive Social Protection (ASRSP) spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on September 29-30 in Quezon City.

Participated by DSWD management teams and representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, DSWD-Field Offices, and selected local government units, the two-day workshop aimed at enhancing and refining the strategies, plans, and programs of the Department along social protection to be more adaptive and shock responsive.

Considering that the losses and shocks brought by climate change disproportionately affect the lives, livelihoods, and well-being of poor households, the DSWD initiated this convergence activity to optimize social protection mechanisms toward building the resilience of poor households and communities.

"The DSWD, as the lead agency mandated to uplift the level of well-being of its target sectors, believes that strengthening the resilience of households will help combat the negative effects of shocks on their lives,' Secretary Erwin T. Tulfo said.

In response to the recurring effects of natural, and human-induced disasters and hazards, the DSWD sought to mainstream and institutionalize the ASRSP from the national to local levels.

Through this, the DSWD will be able to ensure that the marginalized sectors are protected from shocks and risks, hence, facilitating the improvement of their welfare.

Likewise, the sharing of insights and experiences among the participants contributed to the strengthening of the ASRSP framework, which will be utilized to update the DSWD Strategic Plan 2024-2028 and the upcoming formulation of the Social Protection Plan 2023-2028.

The DSWD is hopeful that its programs and services will be responsive to the multi-faceted needs of its clients amid the escalating threats of climate change, as outcomes of this activity.