Social workers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development play an important role in the successful implementation of the different socio-economic programs of the DSWD, which greatly contribute to the overall peace agenda of the Marcos administration.

This is how DSWD Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay described and highlighted the value of social workers which he shared during the Media Forum at the department's national office.

Tanjusay recognized the dedication of social workers in reaching out to the members of extremist and violent groups and in guiding them to process their emotional and social issues through various interventions.

"Ang (DSWD) social workers, they are putting their lives in the line, sila ang mga nasa (they are in the) forefront, so sila ang naka-expose sa [so they are exposed to] danger… para lang ma-reach out natin ang mga grupo na ito (just to reach out to these groups)," Tanjusay told reporters at the New Press Center.

According to Tanjusay, aside from the financial aid and other forms of assistance, the compassion and care of the social workers in conducting case management among former rebels and decommissioned combatants resulted in significant milestones in localized peace negotiations.

"Kapag binigay ang pera kumbaga sa ano nakalagay sa box 'yong case management. Iyong kalinga at malasakit ng DSWD sa kanila na siya talagang pinakasusi at nagbibigay ng tagumpay sa atin kampanya (When we hand out cash aid, it is packaged with good case management. We do it with care and compassion, which are the keys to our successful peace campaign.)," the DSWD official pointed out.

Noting the achievements on the government's peace agenda under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Tanjusay shared that it was the first time that the DSWD was able to extend assistance to Abu Sayaff members and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

"Sa hanay naman ng MNLF, pumayag sila na sumailalim ang mahigit 907 combatants [sa MNLF) transformation program] mula sa Basilan, Lamitan at Marawi, (With the MNLF, they agreed that more than 907 combatants from Basilan, Lamitan, and Marawi will undergo the MNLF transformation program.)," Usec. Tanjusay noted.

Currently, some 26,000 former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were assisted by the DSWD while more than 17,000 former rebels from the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) groups are in the process of reintegration.

With the initiative of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Usec. Tanjusay also announced that the Boys Care Center in Tagum City will be operational by mid-next year through joint efforts of the DSWD and the local government unit (LGU).

"With this plan of the Secretary, mas lalo pang lalaganap at mas meaningful, impactful ang program ng DSWD [our program will prosper and later on will be more meaningful and impactful]," Tanjusay explained.

The Boys Care Center will serve as a temporary shelter for children in situations of armed conflict and victims of human trafficking who need protective custody and continuous care through psychosocial interventions before they reintegrate into their respective families and communities.

Usec Tanjusay assured that the DSWD will continue to take part in the Whole-of-Nation Approach in the attainment of inclusive and sustainable peace.