Cordillera Administrative Region-  With the aim to produce more social workers in the field to strengthen the efforts in delivering social protection programs and services, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Field Office CAR under the leadership of Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, CESO II inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Saint Louis University (SLU) headed by the university president, Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM last September 8, 2021, at Diego Silang Building, Saint Louis University. 

The MOA highlighted that DSWD-CAR will be encouraging its personnel to enroll in the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Social Work at Saint Louis University under its School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA). The interested personnel will be issued a waiver signifying the agency’s permission for them to enroll in the degree. DSWD-CAR will also ensure successful compliance with the requirements set forth by the university. 

Congruent to this, Saint Louis University will be creating a special program for future students from the agency which includes crediting of courses from previously attained degree programs and evaluating field experiences for possible work equivalency in the required professional development activities for AY 2021-2022. 

To accommodate the full-time work schedule of the future students, the MOA also stipulated that SLU will be harmonizing the class schedules for a more conducive learning and working arrangement. The distance learning education program modality or online classes will be applied with evening and Saturday classes as possible options. 

In terms of the practicum, SLU will be defining special field practicum programs that will give merit to the work experiences of students especially those that are relevant to Social Work Practice. 

During the ceremony, Regional Director Garcia underscored the importance of having an educational background in Social Work especially for those who are working at DSWD. 

“With the Mandanas ruling, it is important that we get to have more social workers in the field that could help in the delivery and implementation of social protection programs and services especially in our region,” Garcia said. 

Garcia also added that he is honored to have initiated this partnership with SLU, as it may pave the way for other universities to follow suit. 

Meanwhile, Rev. Fr Gilbert Sales emphasized that Saint Louis will do its part in ensuring that future students will be given the quality education that they deserve. 

The MOA signing was also graced by DSWD-CAR officials: OIC Chief of Human Resource Management and Development Division, Mr. Ronilo R. Flores, and Regional Executive Assistant, Ms. Sachi A. Sy, and SLU officials: Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Roberto M. Arguelles, External Relations, Media and Communications Director, Dr. Mary Grace P. Carrido, and STELA Associate Deans, Dr. Danilo S. Alterado and Dr. Teresita D. Ignacio. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Lorillie R. Gonzales