Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista warned on Tuesday the Association of DSWD Social Workers Inc. (ADSWI) of organizations with “malicious” intentions seeking partnerships.

“Never allow your organization to be used by another organization that is not in accordance with your intent and purpose. I advise you to focus on your goals and objectives and be careful in accepting members which we believe has a different motivation on why they are joining your organization,” Bautista said during the online screening of the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of understanding between DSWD and ADSWI.

ADSWI is an organization of employed social workers, who are contract of service and regular employees in the department both at the central and regional offices.

The group was registered under the Securities Exchange Commission on Nov. 16, 2012.

Bautista cited the vital contributions of social workers in the work of providing social protection in the country.

“This collaboration will not only ensure our commitments to the Asean consortium but will also help us in our common goal to uphold and continue improving the standards of social work practice across the country,” he said.

ADSWI president Ricky Bunao said the association was officially recognized by the DSWD in 2012 and through its active participation in the field, it became the newest member of the Asean social work consortium in 2018.

The consortium is composed of the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI); National Association for Social Work Education, Inc. (NASWEI); Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines, Inc. (ALSWDOPI); DOH League of Medical Social Workers; Association of Medical Social Workers of the Philippines, Inc. (AMSWPI); National Council of Social Development, Inc. (NCSD); Philippine Association of Court Social Workers, Inc. (PACSWI); Association of Child Caring Agencies of the Philippines, Inc. (ACCAP); and ADSWI, among others.

“We commit ourselves to uphold the standards of social work practice in the Department in aid of continuous and advanced education, integrity and professionalism, camaraderie and cohesive service providers,” Bunao said.

ADSWI, among others, seeks to strengthen the knowledge, attitude, and skills of members for professional advancement and effective social work practice; to advocate, negotiate and receive incentives, benefits, and privileges in favor of the members as defined under the Magna Carta for Social Workers and other related laws and policies, and participate in the formulation and implementation of policies, issues, and concerns relevant to the practice of social work profession.

DSWD, in coordination with the different social work organizations across the nation, pledged its continued commitment toward the advancement of social work practices and profession by further developing strategies and approaches that will improve the skills and competencies of Filipino social workers. (PNA)