The DSWD Field Office VI recently conducted the Facilitating Change and Innovation Cum Stress Management for Local Social Welfare and Development Officers and partner Non-Government Organizations.

“Being at the frontline in social welfare and development work, the LSWDOs, as well as the NGOs, have been doing key roles just to ensure that the people thrive amidst the pandemic. We see value in their kind of work and we believe that we have to provide the necessary support for them,” said Rayner Jude Lobaton, Focal Person for Technical Assistance and Resource Augmentation (TARA) of DSWD FO VI.

According to him, it is high time that they be provided with a venue for stress debriefing, as well as guided with strategies to adapt to the virtual world.

“We believe this training will help pave the way in developing efficient and effective approaches and strategies in decision making for the implementation of Social Welfare and Development (SWD) programs and services which are responsive under the new normal,” Lobaton said.

The LSWDOs have been key in the implementation of the massive Social Amelioration Program of the agency at the onset of the pandemic.

The NGOs, on the other hand, were into protective and development work in the communities.

One of the participants said, “Good job. Looking for another training that can help us in our work. It was a best experience at this of pandemic.”

Another participant said, “I love the topics and activities. Very interesting and the topics are aligned with the activities.”

Also, another impression from a participant mentioned, “I have a lot of learnings from this activity such as How to manage stress in life and in workplace, techniques to ground yourself and putting yourself first by having “Me Time,” and How to develop a growth mindset.”

Lobaton was one of the resource persons during the training. Other speakers include Raphah Cortel, Registered Psychometrician; Dojie Gumata, Church Minister; and Zarah Niel Cachero, an Information Technology expert./dswd6