DSWD Academy to upskill social workforce with new competency-based courses

In a move to upscale the “social welfare diplomacy,” the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the social and community development workforce in the Philippines.

During an interview on DZMM’s Teleradyo on Dec. 6, Director IV Justin Ceasar Anthony Batocabe shared the upskilling efforts of DSWD Academy, which now offers comprehensive, competency-based learning courses.

“Ang overall objective natin dito sa DSWD Academy is mapalakas at mapalinang ang propesyon ng ating mga social workers at community development workers,” he said.

Batocabe said the training programs are publicly announced through the official DSWD Academy Facebook page and may be availed of through registration.

“To be qualified, applicants must have an educational or professional background aligned with social work or community development,” Batocabe added.

He also cited Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s drive to advance the profession and open it to a broader field of “social welfare diplomacy.”

“Ang ating mga inobasyon dito, ang ating mga kaalaman, o mga ginagawa para sa ating mga kababayan, puwede natin i-export itong mga ideas sa ating mga karatig bayan as a tool of diplomacy,” he said.

According to Batocabe, DSWD has significantly scaled up its current administration under Gatchalian, citing recent developments in the academy.

“Pinalaki po natin, gumawa po tayo ng mga pasilidad at ni-renovate din po natin ang DSWD Academy facility and sinigurado po natin [na] mas maparami ang ating mapasa sa technical assistance and other trainings,” he said.

In a statement by DSWD Academy, it affirmed its mission to provide globally competitive opportunities for professional development.

“The DSWD Academy shall be the center for excellence in the Asia and Indo-Pacific regions that will provide [a] sustained high level of social welfare and development practice,” it said, citing Gatchalian’s vision for 2028.

The academy operates in a facility in Taguig City to offer capacity-building opportunities to learners in the delivery of social welfare and development programs and services.