MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino thanked officials and employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday for not giving up despite the difficulties that they go through and the criticisms they receive every time there are delays in relief operations in times of disasters.
However, unlike employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Labor and Employment who received bonuses from Aquino, DSWD personnel did not get an incentive.
Speaking at the 63rd founding anniversary of the DSWD, Aquino said he was inspired by the energy of the whole of the department in serving the country.
“What is being asked of DSWD employees is extraordinary ability to show concern. Not everyone can do what you are doing,†Aquino said.
He also commended two DSWD employees who survived a helicopter crash last year while undertaking a relief operation for victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.
The DSWD awarded special citations to Danny Franco Bitara and Noemi Mongaya, employees from Regions 5 and 8, respectively.
Aquino expressed his admiration for the members of the DSWD who would have problems for “breakfast, lunch until dinner and even midnight snack†everyday, but still manage to cope and not “wave the white flag.â€
Being President, Aquino admitted he too would get affected by events and would feel down sometimes.
Aquino said problems were overlapping, especially last year when Yolanda struck after the powerful earthquake in Bohol and the Zamboanga City siege by Moro National Liberation Front forces.
He jokingly said that Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman would sometimes speak to him with eyes closed but then they could not afford to be late in providing relief goods, medicine and other forms of assistance because many would go hungry, sick or despondent.
But despite the blood, sweat and tears shed by DSWD workers, Aquino said there are still people who do not appreciate their service and would talk like they had done nothing right.
“I learned that during relief operations for Typhoon Yolanda, many of you refused to even take a nap for fear of getting photographed and be accused of sleeping on the job,†Aquino told DSWD employees.
He said the same thing happened to Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, who managed to bring 99 percent of electricity in areas hit by Yolanda but was still asked if he would resign.
The President said the DSWD workers’ job was thankless because there were more criticisms than consolation.
But at least he said no one was saying, “Mr. President, I can’t take this anymore, I have to leave.â€
He said aside from relief operations, the DSWD was also at the forefront of the government’s conditional cash transfer, sustainable livelihood, supplemental feeding and other development programs.
Model employees
Soliman said the special citation for the employees was the “best way to express our gratitude to these dedicated workers who risked their lives in service of others.â€
Mongaya and Bitara sustained multiple injuries when the Huey helicopter they were riding in, together with two pilots, crashed last Dec. 6 while on their way to relief work for Yolanda victims in La Paz, Leyte.
The victims were rescued by concerned citizens and given first aid treatment by volunteer doctors from Spain.
Bitara underwent stomach surgery due to the incident.
The DSWD provided financial and medical assistance to their employees.
Aside from the two, the DSWD also recognized several outstanding and loyal employees of the department during their anniversary celebration.
Employees who excelled in their respective fields were awarded through the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE), while those who have rendered 10 to 35 years of service to the department received the loyalty award. – With Rainier Allan Ronda