The Philippine STAR was among the institutions cited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for its “continuing support and partnership for the benefit of the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged Filipinos.”
Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral led a simple ceremony at the DSWD head office in Quezon City, conferring the “Salamat Po” (Thank You) award to The STAR and 39 other institutions, citing their valuable support and assistance to DSWD’s programs, projects and services for the poor, disadvantaged and other marginalized sectors.
“We acknowledge the support given by members of media who have helped us disseminate information, as well as advocate for DSWD’s programs and services to our publics,” Cabral said.
The Salamat Po award aims to recognize the active participation and efforts of partner organizations and donor agencies.
The awarding was part of the DSWD’s week-long celebration of its 57th anniversary.
Other awardees included the European Commission; Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID); Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion Internacional; Ronald MacDonald House Charities; Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP); Chevron Philippines; Children’s Hour Philippines Inc.; Crisis Management, Public, Media Relations Advertising; Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);
Food for the Hungry Foundation Inc.; GMA Kapuso Foundation Inc.; Habitat for Humanity, Philippines; Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBPL); Kabisig ng Lahi; The Manila Bulletin; Manila Electric Co. (Meralco); Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA); Mead Johnson Nutritionals; Office of the Civil Defense; Petron Corp. Inc.; Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO); Philippine National Oil Co.-Energy Development Corp. (PNOC-EDC); Philippine Ports Authority (PPA); SM Foundation Inc.; TEAM Energy Foundation Inc.; The World Bank Manila; Embassy of Japan-Grassroots Human Security Projects;
ABS-CBN Foundation; Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); National Nutrition Council; Philippine Daily Inquirer; United Laboratories; United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF); United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); Unilever Philippines; US Peace Corps Philippines; United Nations World Food Programme; Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
“The greatest reward of these institutions is ensuring a brighter future for the less fortunate Filipinos through their generosity,” Cabral said.
The DSWD recently launched its latest program “Ahon Pamilyang Pilipino,” which aims to break the poverty cycle by addressing low educational attainment, high level of maternal and infant mortality rate, malnutrition and child labor among the poor.