By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Recognizing the need for legal knowledge in social work, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Academy has launched a paralegal course to equip social welfare and development practitioners with essential legal skills for their field.
The second batch of 30 trainees from various local government units (LGUs) nationwide received their “Certificate Course on Paralegal Training for Social Welfare and Development Practitioners” during a seminar held from July 8 to 12 in Pasig City.
“It is critical to empower social workers with legal knowledge, especially on social protection and social development laws and legal processes, to bridge the gap between legal knowledge and social welfare practice,” said Undersecretary for Standards and Capacity Building Group (SCBG) Denise Florence Bernos-Bragas in her welcome address.
Social Welfare Institutional Development Bureau (SWIDB) Director Justin Caesar Anthony Batocabe discussed the rationale behind the training and provided an overview of the DSWD Academy’s broader mission. He emphasized its commitment to professional development and effective service delivery.
“By investing in the continuous education of social welfare practitioners, the DSWD Academy aims to strengthen the social welfare and development sector’s capacity. It also reinforces the agency’s commitment to fostering a just and inclusive society by advocating for the rights of vulnerable clients and providing more impactful social protection services,” Batocabe said.
(el Amigo/mnm)
