SOCIAL WELFARE

 

Like other municipalities in the Province, Kalawit is also  beset with  social  problems  such as  unemployment  and  socially  and economically distressed families. The responsibility for social welfare is shared by all levels  of government.   However,  with  respect  to  social  welfare,   the responsibility  is  the general concern of the  Municipal  Social Welfare and Development (MSWD).

 

Pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991, the following  are the programs and Services devolved to the local government:

 

  1. Self-Employment Assistance
  2. Family and Community Welfare Programs
  3. Parent Effectiveness
  4. Marriage Counseling
  5. Responsible Parenthood
  6. Social Preparation for People’s Participation
  7. Community Volunteer Resource Development
  8. Social Welfare Structure Development
  9. Women Welfare Program
  10. Self-Enhancement Skills Development
  11. Maternal and Child Care Skills Development
  12. Skills Training for Employment
  13. Community Participation Skills Development
  14. Child and Youth Welfare Program
  15. Peer Group Service (PYM)
  16. Community-based Services for Street Children
  17. Community-based Services for Delinquent Youth
  18. Emergency Assistance Program
  19. Supplemental Feeding
  20. Food For Work
  21. Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness
  22. Program for Disabled Persons and Elderly
  23. Disability Prevention
  24. Assistance for Physical Restoration of disabled Persons and Elderly
  25. Self/social Enhancement Service for Disabled Persons
  26. After Care and follow-up Services
  27. Special Social Services for the Elderly

 

Although  the Local Government Code has devolved the programs  of the  Department  of Social Welfare and  Development,  only  those programs   and  services  applicable  and  appropriate   in   the municipality is being implemented by the MSWD.

 

The functions of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development  is jointly handled by the Office of the Municipal Health and  Social Services. The office is manned by MSWD Officer, 2 regular staffs and a few casual office aides. Complementing this manpower is the presence of  volunteer Day  Care Workers who receive compensation by way  of  honorarium from the barangay they are rendering service.  Comparatively, the number of children served by the municipality’s day care  centers increased from 368 in 1997 to 561 in 2008.

 

During   the  year  1997,  the  MSWD  has  served  around   1,623 clienteles.    This  is  higher  compared  to  1996  with   1,058 clienteles.  Among the clienteles 29.88 percent are served  under the Community Programs and Services, 1.54 percent Self-Employment Assistance  Program,  5.67 percent Family Welfare  Program,  6.16 Women  Welfare  Program,  22.67  percent  Child  Welfare Program  Day  Care Service, 24.21  percent  Emergency  Assistance Program,  3.08 percent Program for Disabled Persons  and  Elderly and 6.79 percent Youth Welfare Program and Services.