Cordillera Administrative Region- The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD FO CAR) is set to implement new initiatives alongside continued support for flagship social welfare programs. This comes after the Field Office’s 2025 performance where the agency was able to reach thousands of underserved individuals and families across the region.
For 2025, the Field Office is able to demonstrate meaningful progress in addressing poverty through interventions aligned with national social priorities. As of 31 November 2025, the Field Office is able to accomplish the following:
For its core programs, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) was able to provide cash grants to 42,661 households or 85.94% of the target households, with 24,055 of the families graduating as self-sufficient. Pantawid Pamilya households are considered self-sufficient if they are already able to meet their basic needs, have a stable income through a permanent job or small business, are able to send their children to school and are assessed to have the capacities that will prevent them from falling back to poverty. Aside from the graduating households, the Program is also able to record 3,236 Pantawid children who have completed college since 2019. These include 939 board passers and 227 graduated with distinction.
On the other hand, the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) was able to assist 4,562 households through its micro-enterprise development and employment facilitation tracks. 132 beneficiaries from conflict-affected areas were also assisted through the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program, while the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) which uses the community-driven development (CDD) approach provided temporary employment to 1,332 individuals with ₱8.17 million in labor costs disbursed. A total of 105 sub-projects have also been completed by the communities which benefit 31,789 households.
Meanwhile 143,930 individuals were assisted under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS). Under the AICS, the Department provides cash assistance or guarantee letters to cover financial, medical, burial, transportation or educational needs of the vulnerable and disadvantaged sector. 40,284 children were provided with hot meals for 120 days through the Supplementary Feeding Program, and 107,978 indigent seniors were assisted through the monthly pension under the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens. Said program provides PhP 1,000.00 monthly pension to frail and sickly senior citizens who do not receive regular income or support. Under disaster response and management, 145,183 disaster -affected families received response services such as the provision of family food packs, hygiene kits, kitchen kits, or sleeping kits. 9,655 disaster-affected families were also provided with early response and recovery services.
Aside from the DSWD programs and services, the Field Office, in partnership with some Civil Society Organizations and private individuals was able to assist Cordillera communities through Project MARTHA (Mobilizing Advocates to Reach, to Transform, and to Help All in Need) and served 1,485 individuals in four (4) municipalities including Paracelis and Bauko in Mountain Province, Aguinaldo in Ifugao and Balbalan in Kalinga. Project MARTHA has been an ongoing outreach effort initiated by Dir. Maria Catbagan-Aplaten, PhD. The Project collaborates government entities and private institutions to provide holistic social services to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the region.
2026 Brings New Programs to Address Emerging Needs
To sustain and further enhance the previous year’s gains, the agency is also launching several new initiatives to address climate change impacts and strengthen community resilience.
Launched in November 2025 by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the Kalahi-CIDSS will be implementing the Panahon ng Pagkilos: Philippine Community Resilience Project (PCRP) modality. This new component of Kalahi-CIDSS aims to build community capacities for participatory resilience planning. For CAR, it will cover 10 municipalities and 135 barangays with a ₱186 million allocation. DSWD FO CAR will also continue implementing other program components such as the Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay-Community Driven Development (KKB-CDD) with a target of six (6) sub-projects completed in accordance with technical plans and schedule, Cash for Work for College Students and Graduates with a target of 370 beneficiaries with an allotted budget of PhP 4,347,500.00 , Cash for Work for Persons with Disabilities targeting 500 beneficiaries with a budget of PhP 2,350,000.00, and Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) which focuses on peace and development aims to complete 83 sub-projects worth PhP 100,360,279.60.
To help in climate change adaptation and mitigation, the DSWD will continue to provide cash assistance to 6,650 vulnerable families through Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) at BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) with ₱60.63 million allocated to help communities adapt to climate impacts. The Pag-abot Program is a holistic approach which focuses on the provision of immediate needs of families and individuals in street situation by providing essential items such as food, clothing, and hygiene products. For long-term solutions, the beneficiaries are relocated or provided with permanent residence with some livelihood support. They may also be reconnected with their families. The said program is targeting 20 beneficiaries with a PhP 1.65 million budget. This initiative will support vulnerable individuals like street dwellers through case management and reintegration services.
In terms of empowering community-based organizations (CBOs), the agency will link 25 CBOs to institutional markets to improve food security and livelihood opportunities. This is under the Enhanced Partnership against Hunger Program (EPHAP).
For DSWD FO CAR’s regular programs and services, the Recovery and Integration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP) targets to assist 56 beneficiaries with an allocated budget of PhP 160,000.00. This program will provide support for the recovery and reintegration of trafficked individuals into their communities. Under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Proram (4Ps) budget allocation is at PhP 1.108 billion and Sustainable Livelihood Program is targeting 4,483 households to be assisted under regular funds and 166 beneficiaries under PAMANA-LGU modality. For the Supplementary Feeding Program, the Program target increased to 45,000 children with a PhP 135 million budget while the Social Pension Program will continue serving 107,978 indigent seniors with a PhP 1.295 billion allocation, and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation is set to serve 111,201 beneficiaries with PhP 683.72 million allocated. Under its centers and institutions including the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC), Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY), and Regional Have for Women and Girls (Regional Haven), 172 beneficiaries are targeted to be served with an allotment of PhP 43,956,000.00. These centers are specialized to provide programs and services for the rehabilitation of its clients which includes neglected and abandoned children, children in conflict with the law, and women and girls in difficult situation.
For 2026, the DSWD FO CAR’s total fund allocation is around PhP 6,236.09 million to include personnel services and funds for improving physical assets or capital outlay.
“Our 2025 accomplishments show that we are making meaningful progress in improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable in CAR. With our new programs and continued support for flagship initiatives, we are prepared to address both current and emerging challenges, ensuring that no one is left behind”, said DSWD CAR Regional Director Maria A. Catbagan-Aplaten, PhD.
The DSWD FO CAR maybe reached at #40 North Drive, Baguio City (Main Office) or at SN Oriental Building, #19 Leonard Wood Road, Baguio City (Extension Office for Operations) or through phone number +6374-661-0430 or e-mail at focar@dswd.gov.ph. You may also reach DSWD FO CAR Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dswdcordilleraregion. #DSWD-CAR, Social Marketing Unit, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva-Trinidad, Information Officer II with Jennifer A. Feranil (SMU Intern)
