An executive and employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), together with representatives from different sectors showed their full support for the confirmation of Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo as secretary of the DSWD, attesting to the ‘change’ that she has brought to the Department during a press conference held on Tuesday at the Quezon City Sports Club.
Wearing a Confirm Judy shirt, Carina Javier, President of the Federation of Solo Parents in LuzViMin, said, “Si Sec. Taguiwalo lang ang kalihim na nagbigay ng 100 percent na suporta sa aming mga solo parents. Nakikibaka siya kasama namin upang ipanawagan na amyendahan ang Republic Act 8972 para makakapagbigay ng mas magandang benepisyo sa mga solong magulang sa bansa. Nananawagan kami sa Commission on Appointments na i-confirm si Sec. Taguiwalo! (Sec. Taguiwalo is the only Secretary who gave a 100 percent support to us, solo parents. She fights with us in our call to amend Republic Act 8972 to give more benefits for the solo parents in the country).”
On the other hand, Social Welfare Employees Association of the Philippines (SWEAP) President Manny Baclagon, cited what Sec. Taguiwalo has done so far for the betterment of the employees of the DSWD.
“Nagkaroon agad ng Collective Negotiations Agreement (CNA) para sa mga empleyado ng Departamento pag-upong pag-upo palang ni Sec. Taguiwalo. Dahil din sa tulong niya, nagkaroon ng Gratuity Pay sa unang pagkakataon ang mga Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) workers hindi lang ng DSWD, kundi maging sa ibang ahensya ng gobyerno (Upon her assumption to office, she instructed the drafting of a CNA with the employees. Because of her help, MOA workers not just in the DSWD, but also in other government agencies received a Gratuity Pay for the first time),” he said.
For her part, DSWD Assistant Secretary Lorraine Marie T. Badoy underscored the need for a Secretary like Sec. Taguiwalo for the continuous provision of prompt and compassionate service to the poor.
“Tumatayo ako dito ngayon sa inyong harapan bilang spokesperson ng mga taong walang boses (I’m standing here today in front of you as a spokesperson of the voiceless people). Let us call to confirm Secretary Judy. This is now our chance to get the poor out of the terrible and vicious cycle of poverty. Huwag nating pakawalan ang pagkakataong ito (let’s not lose this one chance),” she said.
Speaking on behalf of Persons With Disabilities’ (PWD) sector, Miguel Catain, President of the Liga ng may Kapansanan sa Pilipinas, said, “Sa maikling panahon, nakapagbuo agad ng organisasyon na nakatutok para sa mga maralitang may kapansanan at sa kanilang pamilya. Si Sec. Taguiwalo ay may puso sa katulad naming napapabilang sa maralitang sektor ng lipunan. Sana hindi naman maging pusong bato ang mga myembro ng CA (In a short period of time under Sec. Taguiwalo, an organization that focuses on poor persons with disabilities and their families was organized. Sec. Taguiwalo has a heart for us who belong to the poor sector of the society. I hope that the members of the CA would have soft hearts).”
Meanwhile, Sec. Taguiwalo thanked all those who expressed their support for her, including President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who, she said, believed in her capabilities as well as in Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Rafael Mariano and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez.
“Nagpakita ng tapang at malasakit si Pangulong Duterte sa pag-appoint sa aming mula sa left. Ang tingin sa amin dati sa kaliwa ay kaaway, walang kayang mai-ambag sa serbisyo. Kaya naman sinusuklian namin ang tapang at malasakit na ipinakita niya ng katapangan din: tapang na tumayo para sa mahihirap, tapang na tumindig laban sa mga nagpapahirap sa mahihirap. Malasakit sa mahihirap at malasakit na walang puwang sa katiwalian. Nagpapasalamat kami sa inyong suporta! (Pres. Duterte showed courage and compassion when he appointed us from the left. Before, many think of us as enemies, people who cannot contribute to public service. This is why, as a sign of our gratitude, we are also showing courage and compassion in our work as Secretaries–courage to stand for the poor and against those who oppress the poor. We are also showing compassionate service to the marginalized. We thank you all for your support!),” Sec. Taguiwalo said. ###
