The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is equipping frontline personnel with essential skills in crisis intervention, child protection, referral mechanisms, and responder self-care following recent crisis situations.
“Frontline workers serve as the primary source of safety and guidance during crises, making baseline training in psychological first aid essential to preventing long-term emotional distress among vulnerable sectors,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in a news release on Wednesday.
“Kasi hindi po natin maiiwasan na may mga pangyayari na may mga Pilipino minsan nato-trauma dulot ng kung ano man ang dahilan. For example, nabahaan, nasunugan, o kaya naman ay nawalan ng mahal sa buhay. Madaming dahilan kaya (Because we cannot avoid instances when Filipinos experience trauma due to various circumstances, like flooding, fire, or the death of a loved one. That’s why) it’s important that frontliners do skills training and capacity-building activities,” she added.
In line with this, the DSWD Academy, in partnership with the Ateneo Bulatao Center of Ateneo De Manila University, gathered frontline responders and key partner agencies in Zamboanga City for a five-day workshop on Trauma-Informed Support and Psychological First Aid (PFA) for children and adolescents from Aug. 24 to 28 at the Grand Astoria Hotel in Zamboanga City.
The workshop is aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen frontline care systems and ensure prompt psychosocial support for communities affected by emergencies,
The participants in the capacity-building activity are composed of 49 representatives from the DSWD Field Office 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Department of Education, Philippine National Police, City Social Welfare and Development Office, City and Regional Prosecutor’s Office, and Department of Health.
Dumlao said the DSWD remains committed to conducting localized training programs through the DSWD Academy to build a stronger network of competent, ethical, and compassionate responders equipped to provide immediate psychosocial and protective support to children, adolescents, families, and communities during crises and emergencies. (PNA)
