GOV. DICLAS RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD FOR CHAMPIONING SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

May 18, 2024 Community Billboard

Benguet Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas has been recognized as Most Outstanding Governor in the country by a national association for his social welfare endeavors. Governor Diclas personally received the plaque of recognition during the Gawad Parangal 2024 Award for Outstanding Local Chief Executive of the Philippines in the field of Social Welfare and Development held at Iloilo Convention Center in Iloilo City on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, with the theme: “Local Government Units’ Catalyst for Collective Action, Social Movements, and Social Change.”

The Governor was named the Outstanding Local Chief Executive of the Philippines, Provincial Governor Category for Luzon Island, which is an award conferred yearly by the Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines (ALSWDOPI, INC). Couple of months earlier, the award-giving body evaluated the best practices of the Provinces relative to Social Welfare and Development from 2021 to 2023. They lauded Governor
Diclas’ initiatives “in uplifting the general wellbeing of the marginalized and vulnerable sectors” of Benguet localities.

Governor Diclas expressed his gratitude to ALSWDOPI for the motivation, stating he together with his fellow
government leaders will remain committed to being innovative in serving their constituents. The awardee also extended his thanks to the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWD) headed by Melba Motio and other department heads and personnel of the Provincial Government, highlighting unity and effective
communication as the driver to the success of the different programs and projects of the local government.

Other individuals recognized as outstanding provincial, municipal, and city officials and social workers from different regions in the country. The awarding ceremony, which is part of the 27th National Social Welfare and
Development Forum and General Assembly taking place May 14-17, 2024, was graced by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian as the Guest of Honor and Speaker. Over 2,000 social workers and guests attended the national assembly, with Benguet delegation represented by Acting PSWDO Motio and her staff, and social workers from the different Benguet municipal local government units.

SAP Jr