The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) marked its 74th anniversary with a strong emphasis on digital innovation, aiming to enhance service delivery and efficiency. The celebration, themed ‘Bawat Pamilyang Pilipino ay Mahalaga sa Bagong Pilipinas,’ was highlighted by the launch of several digital tools designed to streamline processes and improve client services.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, during the event at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, emphasized the importance of these digital advancements. He introduced the Paspas Gobyerno Information System (Paspas G-IS), which is designed to expedite government transactions and ensure zero backlog, in line with the Ease of Doing Business Act. This system will incorporate automated tracking and notifications to enforce the 3-7-20 rule, providing real-time updates and data analysis to enhance operational efficiency.
Another significant launch was the Harmonized Electronic Licensing Permit System (HELPS), which aims to simplify the registration, licensing, and accreditation processes for social welfare and development agencies. Secretary Gatchalian noted that the waiting time for these processes has been reduced from six months to just one to two weeks, with the number of required steps and forms significantly decreased.
Additionally, the DSWD introduced an improved system for issuing clearances for minors traveling abroad through the MTA portal. This new system eliminates the need for physical document submission, allowing for quicker processing times of one to three days for complete and verified applications.
These digital innovations align with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s socioeconomic agenda, focusing on the digitalization of government processes to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.