Thursday, February 11, 2010

THE NATIONAL DAY CARE WORKERS CONSULTATION CONFERENCE, 02/10-12/2010, Tagbilaran City, Bohol

The National Day Care Workers Consultation Conference was held on February 10-12, 2010 at Bohol Plaza Resort and Restaurant, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
"We have to recognize the meaningful role Day Care Workers perform in providing interventions to Filipino children and ensure that they are able to avail of capability building programs that will further enhance their skills." This was emphasized by DSWD Secretary Celia Capadocia Yangco in her message to the Day Care Workers during the dialogue conducted in connection with the National Day Care Workers Consultations Conference held on February 10-12, 2010 at Bohol Plaza Resort and Restaurant, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. [more details will be posted soon]
In her Keynote Address, Hon. Secretary Teresa Aquino - Oreta of the ECCD Council emphasized the need to develop an early learning framework that would guide the day care service in ensuring the development of children in their vital years [0-6 years old]. Oreta stressed that Day Care Workers must undergo continuous capability building and they must be included in the regular workforce of the local government units. Oreta also said that parents must understand their role on providing interventions to their children during the vital years. [more details will be posted soon]
The event also included the discussion of the ECCD Council Thrusts and Directions by ECCD Council Executive Director Marilyn Manuel; the presentation of the ECCD Information System by Mr. Felix Armena of the DSWD Management Information Systems Service; and discussion of the results of the UNICEF-ECCD Program Implementation Review [PIR] for CY 2009 by Ms. Fe Nogra-Abog of the UNICEF. [more details will be posted]
The participants composed of Day Care Workers' Regional Federation Presidents and DSWD Focal Persons for ECCD also had sessions on identifying capability building and continuing professional education needs of the DCWs; sharing of experiences and strategies on how to foster good working relationship and collaboration and planning for the Regional Consultations on the ECCD Standards and other concerns [mode details will follow]

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

THE CONTEMPLATIVE CAREER WOMAN

[The author is the contemplative career woman herself, TERESITA SALGADO ROSALES, a dedicated social worker, an efficient Director and a loving friend. Tess, as she is known to many, was born on January 5, 1955. Married to her career, she dedicated her life to public service.  Threatened by cancer, she remained calm and surrendered everything to God. She died on January 24, 2010. She was 55. The DSWD Men on the MOVE salute the brave contemplative career woman]
 
Do not worry! I’ll provide for you. Be Still! Be Calm! Fear not the Night! These phrases are my weapons in life’s challenges since I started practicing contemplative prayer. Last December, I felt a lump in my left breast. I told myself that I can’t deny it anymore that I have to face it and see a doctor. On January 5, 2006, my birthday, I went to UST for medical check-up and I had a mammography and an ultra sound. In an hour, all tests were done and the radiologist suspected malignancy in the mammography result.

I overcame step one – the mammography and ultrasound examination. Next is to consider surgery. My ever supportive sisters and nieces talked about my condition. I will now be dependent on my nieces. This was not my life in the family. I’m always the financer, but now God gave me the opportunity to experience dependency. I remembered the concern of my mother when she was still alive that I should save for myself because I am single and nobody could help me and it is difficult to rely on others. In her deathbed, she told my nieces that they should take care of me. I think this was now the time. God gave me this situation to tell me that I should not worry of being alone. Every single woman getting older cannot avoid entertaining such thoughts.
I am already a prayerful person but this situation has brought me closer to Him by my unceasing prayers. On January 9, I underwent mastectomy. Prayers helped me overcome all my fears. After two days, I checked out of the hospital. Recovery was fast with all the prayers but my next trial is to have the biopsy result. A week after, the surgeon told me that it is stage 3B. There is nothing I can do then but to accept that I have cancer.

My trust in the Lord, acceptance and prayers has made me strong. All will be well according to Sr. Eppie. God has a purpose for my sickness. Acceptance is the start of healing. God gave me the opportunity to rest and read religious books. My life has been centered on work but this time, I no longer worry of work. This is it! I became sick unexpectedly. I had plans but God had other plans for me.

I was able to attend retreat of Regina Rosarii [RR] which made me enjoy stillness, silence, calmness and peace. No worry! God provides! Abundance flows. With this in mind all the time, I put all my Trust in Him especially my finances for the six chemotherapy sessions plus the emotions I feel when I underwent chemo sessions. This sickness can drain one’s resources even one’s whole being. Now I realized that I really should have TOTAL SURRENDER TO HIM! Otherwise I will not survive.
Indeed God provided! I was able to have sufficient resources for my treatment. It is this time of my life that I experienced abundance. I was able to donate little amount for Mother Mary. Before, I had a hard time with money. I was always drained. I trusted Him and found out that He is the Great Provider!

My body accepted favorably my chemo treatment. Every time I was admitted in the hospital, there was always some kind of mixed emotions before I underwent treatment. To ease my anxiety, I have always practiced breathing exercises to calm me down.

Every after three to five days rest, after my chemo, I fly back to Iloilo. Then I would return back to Manila after three weeks for the chemo. This has been my life. My fear of being alone in Iloilo away from my family and fear of being contaminated or getting any other ailment disappeared. Life has been good. All my fears were not true. I was able to make it because I surrendered all things to God. I practiced contemplative prayer each day. This is my time to be alone with God as what the Regina Rosarii taught.


 

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Social Workers and Information Technology for Better, Faster and Smarter Social Protection and Social Welfare and Development Programs and Services

Social Workers, Day Care Officers and Supervisors of Region VI work on the DSWD Early Childhood Care and Development [ECCD] Information System during the demo-orientation conducted on December 8, 2009 in Aklan, December 9, 2009 in Capiz, December 10, 2009 in Antique, December 11, 2009 in Guimaras, December 14, 2009 in Iloilo and December 15, 2009 in Negros Occidental by the ECCD-IS Team from the DSWD Central Office and the DSWD Regional Field Office No. VI.

The DSWD ECCD-IS Demo-Orientation Team in Aklan


The OIC-PSWDO of Aklan welcomes the group


The ECCD-IS Group in Aklan


Working with the Social Workers, Day Care Officers & Day Care Supervisors of Aklan [12/08/2009]




The ECCD-IS Group in Capiz


Working with the Social Workers, Day Care Officers & Day Care Supervisors of Capiz [12/09/2009]







Working with the Social Workers, Day Care Officers & Day Care Supervisors of Antique [12/10/2009]






Working with the Social Workers, Day Care Officers & Day Care Supervisors of Guimaras [12/11/2009]












Working with the Social Workers, Day Care Officers and Day Care Supervisors of Iloilo [12/14/09]







Working with the Social Workers, Day Care Officers and Day Care Supervisors of Negros Occidental [12/15/09]












Mission Accomplished!