The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7–Central Visayas achieved a major victory as it was honored at the 2025 Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) National and Gawad Kabalikat Awards Rites held on June 11, 2026, as part of the department's 75th Founding Anniversary celebration. The Crisis Intervention Section (CIS) of DSWD 7 emerged as the national champion for Best Crisis Intervention Section.
Recognition of Excellence in Crisis Response
This award recognizes the outstanding performance, dedication, and continuous efforts of the Crisis Intervention Section in providing prompt and efficient assistance to individuals and families affected by various crises. Through consistent implementation of social welfare interventions, the section has proven the quality of its service for the poor and most vulnerable throughout Central Visayas.
The victory also highlights the important role of the CIS in providing emergency support to those in need of medical assistance, financial aid, and other services during difficult situations to ensure that no client is left behind.
Attendance at the Online Awards Rites
During the online PRAISE National Awards Rites, SWO IV Clavel Saycon, head of the Protective Services Division (PSD), attended together with DSWD Field Office 7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero and Assistant Regional Director for Operations Jiah L. Sayson.
Director Lucero commended the Crisis Intervention Section and all awardees for demonstrating the highest standards of public service. According to her, the recognition is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and compassion of DSWD 7 personnel. She emphasized that the CIS victory reflects the agency's strong commitment to providing fast, responsive, and people-centered service for individuals and families in crisis.
She added that this success is not only an honor for the awardees but also an inspiration for all DSWD personnel to continue improving the quality of public service and implementing innovative approaches for the welfare of the people.
Other Awards Received by DSWD Field Office 7
Aside from the championship of the Crisis Intervention Section, DSWD Field Office 7 also received other recognitions at the national awards rites. Atty. Jun T. Eso, ECE, received the Angel in Red Vest Award, while Lairisa B. Ballaso, RSW, placed 2nd for Best Community-Based Social Worker (Permanent). Jiah L. Sayson of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) also won 2nd Place as Best Division Chief, and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program–Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) received 2nd Place in the Honorable and Exemplary Achievements on Anti-Red Tape (Heart) Award.
Collective Effort for Excellence and Accountability
According to DSWD 7, the consecutive awards demonstrate the collective effort of Field Office 7 to strengthen excellence, innovation, transparency, and accountability in public service. It also affirms the agency's continuous commitment to providing responsive social protection programs that help the poor, families, and communities in Central Visayas.
As DSWD celebrates its 75th year of serving the Filipino people, the achievements of Field Office 7 serve as an inspiration to all public servants to continue serving every Filipino with honesty, compassion, and efficiency.
