The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) marked its 74th anniversary with a series of digital innovations aimed at enhancing service delivery. The celebration, themed ‘Bawat Pamilyang Pilipino ay Mahalaga sa Bagong Pilipinas,’ was highlighted by the launch of several new systems designed to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who accompanied President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the event at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, emphasized the importance of these digital advancements. The week-long festivities kicked off with the introduction of the Paspas Gobyerno Information System (Paspas G-IS), which aims to expedite government transactions in line with the Ease of Doing Business Act (Republic Act 11032).
Paspas G-IS features automated tracking and notifications to enforce the 3-7-20 rule, ensuring timely processing and real-time updates to address backlogs and delays. Additionally, it uses data-driven analysis to identify and resolve operational bottlenecks.
Another significant launch was the Harmonized Electronic Licensing Permit System (HELPS), which simplifies the registration, licensing, and accreditation processes for social welfare and development agencies. Secretary Gatchalian noted that what used to take six months now takes only one to two weeks, with the number of required steps and forms reduced from fifty to less than a dozen.
The DSWD also introduced an improved system for issuing clearances for minors traveling abroad (MTA) through the MTA portal. This new system eliminates the need for physical document submission, with complete and verified applications processed within one to three days.
These digital innovations align with President Marcos Jr.’s socioeconomic agenda, focusing on the digitalization of government processes and operations to enhance service quality and efficiency.