SERVICES: Social Welfare

Social Welfare and Development Services

With the passage of the Local Government Code of 1991 of which one feature is the devolution of some programs and services of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the Local Government Units, the creation of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) was undertaken and which office is situated at the ground floor of the municipal hall. The Social Welfare Services under the MSWD Office in the Municipality of Pandan, Antique is manned by the officer and staff composed of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer and the following personnel:

» one (1) - Social Welfare Assistant at the same time designated as CIDSS implementor
» one (1) - Day Care Worker II
» one (1) - Utility Worker
» one (1) - Casual employee - Job Order
» twenty eight (28) - Day Care Workers - Job Order

Based on the 1995 Census on Population, the Municipality of Pandan with 34 barangays has 24,978 population composing 5,029 households. The programs and services that are being served or extended by MSWD Office are the following:

1. Day Care Service Program (DCS)
2. Supplemental Feeding (SF)
3. SEA-Kaunlaran (SEA-K)
4. Aid to Individual in Crisis Situation (AICS)
5. Marriage Counseling Service (MCS)
6. Assistance to Senior Citizens (issuance of OSCA ID and Construction of the Senior Citizen's Center)
7. Special Social Services (Adoption, Child Abuse, Violence Against Women)
8. Referrals to other welfare institutions or agencies
9. Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (CIDSS) Program

Under this program, projects and services implemented in barangays identified as CIDSS areas are Nauring, Dionela and Luhod-Bayang and replication barangays are Buang and Sta. Cruz. Programs and projects are:

1. Construction of Day Care Center/Day Care Service Program
2. Supplemental Feeding
3. SEA-Kaunlaran
4. Water Supply/Sanitation
5. Rural Electrification Project
6. Aid to Individual in Crisis Situation
7. Educational Assistance
8. Emergency Shelter Assistance

There are five (5) types of social welfare related organization in the Municipality of Pandan. These are the Day Care Parents Association (DCPA), Senior Citizens Association, Council for Women and Children, the Disaster Coordinating Council, and the SEA-Kaunlaran Association.

The Day Care Parent Association is organized in only 27 barangays which have a Day Care Center; Council for Women and Children in 30 barangays; Senior Citizens Association in 32 barangays, Disaster Coordinating Council in 34 barangays and SEA-Kaunlaran Association in 4 barangays only. All of these associations are organized and assisted by the municipal government of Pandan thru the MSWD Office.

Among the services of the associations, the Day Care Service Program is established in 27 barangays for value formation and inculcation among pre-schoolers. There is also a supplemental feeding with the assistance from both the MSWDO and the Day Care Parents Association. On the other hand, the Senior Citizens Organization organized under Republic Act 7432 - an act to maximize the contribution of senior citizens to nation building, grant benefits and special privileges and for other beneficial purposes. Along with this, issuance of OSCA identification cards to these senior citizens was made by the MSWD Office in order for the members to avail of discounts in medicines, transportation fare, restaurant and hotel accommodations. During calamities, the Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council takes the lead in helping the victims of calamities by distributing relief goods, with the assistance coming from the provincial and the municipal government thru the MSWDO. Likewise, the Council for Women and Children is responsible in assisting victims of violence and abuse against women and children with the coordination and cooperation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) of Pandan, the SEA - Kaunlaran Association is also organized so as to strengthen the unity and cooperation of the members in the management of their livelihood projects. Finally, the Mountain Tigers tasked themselves of planning and conducting rescue operations and rehabilitation during times of calamities and disaster.