PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKER'S CODE OF ETHICS AS REVISED IN 1998; THE ORIGINAL /FIRST CODE WAS ADOPTED IN 1964, THEN REVISED IN 1972 ...
CODE OF ETHICS
We the members of the Philippine Association of Social Worker's,Inc. believing:
___________ in the inherent worth and dignity of all persons emanating from a Supreme Being who directs our actions of love for one another;
___________ that every human being has natural and social rights, capacities and responsibilities to develop his full potentials as human being;
__________ in the human being's capacity to change and recognize the value of unity in diversity, individual differences and pluralism in society;
__________ in free men and women living in a free society where poverty, in all its forms, is neither a fate nor punishment but is a condition that can and must be changed;
__________ in the family as the basic unit of society and its vital role in the growth and development of the individual, the family system, and the community;
__________ that the government, the private sector and the public have a joint responsibility to promote social justice and to ensure the political, economic and social well-being of all people;
_________ in the role of social workers as agents and advocates of change and in the promotion of professionalism, responsibility and accountability; and;
_________ that our professional practice is deeply rooted in our cultural values,
DO HEREBY DECLARE that we will abide by these in our standards of ethical conduct.
We the members of the Philippine Association of Social Worker's,Inc. believing:
___________ in the inherent worth and dignity of all persons emanating from a Supreme Being who directs our actions of love for one another;
___________ that every human being has natural and social rights, capacities and responsibilities to develop his full potentials as human being;
__________ in the human being's capacity to change and recognize the value of unity in diversity, individual differences and pluralism in society;
__________ in free men and women living in a free society where poverty, in all its forms, is neither a fate nor punishment but is a condition that can and must be changed;
__________ in the family as the basic unit of society and its vital role in the growth and development of the individual, the family system, and the community;
__________ that the government, the private sector and the public have a joint responsibility to promote social justice and to ensure the political, economic and social well-being of all people;
_________ in the role of social workers as agents and advocates of change and in the promotion of professionalism, responsibility and accountability; and;
_________ that our professional practice is deeply rooted in our cultural values,
DO HEREBY DECLARE that we will abide by these in our standards of ethical conduct.
Guided by values that are distinctly set and abstract, along with a strict ethical code; the principles concerning social work have been transformed into practice principalsthat are accepted as an ethical awareness and are the fundamentals that must be abides by for all who work in this field. To always act ethically with total commitment is essential in order to offer a high quality of assistance to anyone using the social services.
There are different ethical challenges as well as problems that face social workers in particular countries, and reflection as well as ethical debate is ongoing in order to find the right way to deal with certain problems. Some are common problems while others are much more complicated.
Below are the guidelines to the principles of social work:
Affirming a person’s individuality by appreciating and recognizing their own unique qualities. This means to be able to ‘put oneself’ in the client’s shoes basically and be free from prejudice and an unbiased opinion. To not stereotype or label and to be able to recognize and appreciate the many differences in human behavior.
Genuine concern must be shown as well as being able to listen and acknowledge the client’s views which in turn, then, creates a mutual respect. Accepting the client is fundamental in the principles of social work and acceptance is crucial.
Being non-judgmental in order to create a relationship with the client. This does not mean that the social worker does not make any decisions, but means that they must have a ‘non-blaming’ behavior and sensibility. To be able to judge another as being neither a good person nor a bad person, or as undeserving or deserving is essential.
Allowing the client to express their feelings and stay objective is another important factor as is the acceptance that the client has a right to make their own choices in life, yet helping them find opportunities to improve upon their lives.
Keeping and upholding the client’s privacy unless the client gives consent and the strong belief in human dignity.
Genuine concern must be shown as well as being able to listen and acknowledge the client’s views which in turn, then, creates a mutual respect. Accepting the client is fundamental in the principles of social work and acceptance is crucial.
Being non-judgmental in order to create a relationship with the client. This does not mean that the social worker does not make any decisions, but means that they must have a ‘non-blaming’ behavior and sensibility. To be able to judge another as being neither a good person nor a bad person, or as undeserving or deserving is essential.
Allowing the client to express their feelings and stay objective is another important factor as is the acceptance that the client has a right to make their own choices in life, yet helping them find opportunities to improve upon their lives.
Keeping and upholding the client’s privacy unless the client gives consent and the strong belief in human dignity.
OUR MOTHER AGENCY " DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT" (DSWD)
Administrative Order No. 01
Series of _2_0_10 _
SUBJECT: Amended Standards for Community-based Services
I. RATIONALE
Numerous programs have been formulated to improve the quality of life of Filipinos with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program as the most recent endeavor that the government undertook. Towards this end, the role of the social welfare
development agencies (SWDAs) cannot be overemphasized. They have become partners of government in providing social welfare/protection services. In 2005, Administrative Order No. 13 series of 2005 also known as the Standards for Community-Based Services was formulated to measure the quality of services that the SWDAs offer. The standards are essential especially to the community based services since it is rendered in a wide range of programs, services and strategies. Due to the continually changing situation of the economy of the country, people's needs continue to evolve as well. This prompted the amendment of the AO 13 s. 2005, to ensure that the standards will be relevant to the new and emerging trends in community-based services. These standards are also in consonance with the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) current policy directions of strengthening communitybased services as these services require lesser resources, minimize the tendency to institutionalization, and are supportive of developmental and preventive interventions. Setting of standards for these services allows the clients to participate in a helping process that is sanctioned, organized and empowers them to become self-sustaining individuals, groups, families and communities. These standards also ensure that service providers are responsible and accountable in providing quality services.II. LEGAL BASIS
These standards are hereby formulated by the DSWD based on the following laws and policies:
A. National Laws
1. Republic Act No. 4373 also known as the Social Work Law mandates that DSWD to regulate the operation of social work agencies, part of which is
setting the standards of quality service.
2. Republic Act No. 5416 of 1968 entitled "Providing for Comprehensive Social Services for Individuals and Groups in Need of Assistance, creating the
Department of Social Welfare. In Section 3, it provides that the Department shall:
a. Set standards and policies to ensure effective implementation of public and private social welfare programs;
b. Accredit institutions and organizations, public and private, engaged in social welfare activity including the licensing of child caring and child placement institutions and provide consultative services thereto.
3. Executive Order 292 (Administrative Code of 1987), Title XVI, Chapter I, Section
3, provides that the Department shall:
a. accredit institutions and organizations engaged in social welfare activities and provide consultative and information services to them;
b. set standards, accredit and monitor performance of all social welfare activities in both public and private sectors.
4. Executive Order 221 Series of 2003 (Amending Executive Order No. 15 series of 1998, entitled redirecting the Functions and Operations of the Department of
Social Welfare and Development) provides that:
a. Sec. 2 Roles of the DSWD - (d) Licensor and accreditor of social welfare development agencies and service providers.
b. Sec. 3 Powers of the DSWD - (a) Set standards, accredit and provide consultative services to institutions, organizations and persons engaged in
social welfare activities and monitor performance of institutions, organizations and persons engaged in social welfare activities, both public and private.
B. DSWD Policies and Guidelines
1. Administrative Order No. 8 series of 2009 also known as Standards for Community Based Services for Street Children, sets the performance standards on service delivery to street children to ensure quality care and their best welfare and interests.
2. Administrative Order No. 17 s. 2008 also known as Rules and Regulations on the Registration and Licensing of Social Welfare and Development Programs and Services provides the steps involved in assessing and processing applications for registration, licensing and accreditation, requirements needed,benchmark standards for setting up social welfare agencies, as well as policies and legal bases integral to the regulatory function.
3. Administrative Order No. 10 s. 2009 also known as Standards for Rape Crisis Centers guides concerned government and private social welfare and development agencies in the establishment and provision of quality programs and services for survivors of rape and other forms of sexual abuse, theirfamilies and communities.
III.COVERAGE
These standards shall apply to all registered and licensed social welfare and development agencies (SWDAs) including the Local Government Units (LGUs) and DSWD's community-based services and statutory programs such as but not limited to the following:
a. Preventive, rehabilitative and developmental programs and initiatives that mobilize/utilize the family and community to respond to a problem, need, issue or concern of children, youth, women, person with disabilities, older persons and families who are in need and at-risk. This includes the following:
I. Child Protective Services - Preventive and rehabilitation services provided to children victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation. These include provision of immediate intervention for children's early recovery and reintegration to their families
ii. Therapy Services for Abused Children - Therapeutic interventions and approaches provided to children to overcome the negative effects of abuse. These aim to maximize their potentials towards living a normal and productive life.
III. Alternative Family Care - This provides permanent or temporary family care arrangement to children whose parents are unable to provide for their basic needs, temporarily or permanently. This is provided to a child in three ways- Adoption, foster care and Legal Guardianship.
iv. Special Social Services for Children in Armed Conflict (CIAC) - Provision of a package of social services and interventions designed to protect and rehabilitate children affected directly or indirectly by armed conflict.v. Services for Women in Especially Difficult Circumstances - Provision of community-based and residential-care services to women to enable them to resolve their problems as well as prepare them for their eventual return to their families and communities.
vi. Neighborhood Support Services for Older Persons - A program that involves the community/neighborhood to take effective steps to enhance members of the families in their care-giving capability to sick, frail or bedridden older person. This involves training of volunteers who are willing to share their skills and service as a resource person of the community on the proper care of older persons.
b. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program - is a poverty reduction and social development strategy of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education particularly of children aged 0-14.
c. KALAHI ClODS stands for Kapit-Bisig Laban sa KahirapanComprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services is the Philippine government's flagship poverty-alleviation project implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. It is funded in part by a loan from the World Bank. It entrusts the poor with greater powers, supports poor LGUs in local development, and invests heavily on people, not just projects.
d. Self-Employment Assistance - Kaunlaran Program (SEA-K) - capability building program designed to enhance the socio-economic skills of poor families to establish and self-manage community based micro-credit organizations for entrepreneurial development. Policies and procedures set forth in A. O. 17 s. 2009 shall govern the registration licensing and accreditation process and requirements for community based services through the use of appropriate instruments.
IV. DEFINITION OF TERMS
The following terms are defined as used in this guideline:
1. Community Based Services - refer to programs and services rendered when the helping process takes place in the community as the primary client system
or when social welfare and development activities are provided to the beneficiaries while they remain in their homes. It is characterized by interaction between client and community worker in relation to the resolution of identified problems and concerns. Community-based service/s include senior citizens center, day care center, vocational rehabilitation center, sponsorship/scholarship program, assistance to victims of disaster etc. and social services to individual and families while in their home or in the community.
2. Beneficiaries - refer to disadvantaged, marginalized and vulnerable individuals, groups, families and communities availing any of the services offered by SWDAs. These may include but are not limited to the following: -
a. Abandoned, neglected, orphaned, abused and exploited children and other children in need of special protection e.g. children in conflict with the law.
b. Out-of-school youth and other youth with special needs
c. Women in especially difficult circumstances (WEDC)
d. Persons with disability or differently-abled persons which refers to those suffering from restriction of various abilities, as a result of mental, physical and sensory disorder.
e. Senior Citizens, an individual who is 60 years old and above.
f. Marginalized and disadvantaged individuals, families and communities e.g. indigenous group/s, those in crisis situation/s, internally displaced due to armed conflict.
g. Victims of natural and man-made calamities/disasters.
3. Child Protection - involves keeping children safe from harm or child abuse defined as all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or
negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse (National Strategic Framework for Action to End Violence Against Children). This is achieved by providing a safe, open and honest environment that protects children as well as the people working with children. Child Protection Policy reflects the standards set forth by international and national laws and provides guidance and procedures for the agency staff to follow when or if they discover or suspect that a child has been or is being abused or neglected.
4. Generalist approach - an approach where the social worker provides services to clients with problems or in situations where expert or specialist interventions are not needed. However, he must possess the capacity to spot a problem or situation which will require the intervention of a specialist and make the necessary referral to the appropriate agency or worker (Dictionary of Social Work: Philippine Setting, Leonora S. de Guzman, Quezon City, 1988).
5. Specialist approach - an approach where the social worker who has demonstrated expert knowledge and skills in his area of specialization which
may be defined in several ways according to the population served (children, persons with disability, older persons, among others), focal problems, practice
setting, and method used (Dictionary of Social Work: Philippine Setting, Leonora S. de Guzman, Quezon City, 1988) Page 4 of 216. Community Organization - a social work method which seeks to assist communities in meeting their needs and/or improving their living conditions. It helps people organize recognize, analyze and rank their needs and problems and help them solve these with indigenous or created resources as much as possible (Dictionary of Social Work: Philippine Setting, Leonora S. de Guzman, Quezon City, 1988).
7. Community Development - as a method of community organization work it is the process by which the physical improvement of the community is brought about with the active participation of and largely upon the initiative of the community, drawing as much as possible from their resources (Dictionary of Social Work: Philippine Setting, Leonora S. de Guzman, Quezon City, 1988)
Series of _2_0_10 _
SUBJECT: Amended Standards for Community-based Services
I. RATIONALE
Numerous programs have been formulated to improve the quality of life of Filipinos with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program as the most recent endeavor that the government undertook. Towards this end, the role of the social welfare
development agencies (SWDAs) cannot be overemphasized. They have become partners of government in providing social welfare/protection services. In 2005, Administrative Order No. 13 series of 2005 also known as the Standards for Community-Based Services was formulated to measure the quality of services that the SWDAs offer. The standards are essential especially to the community based services since it is rendered in a wide range of programs, services and strategies. Due to the continually changing situation of the economy of the country, people's needs continue to evolve as well. This prompted the amendment of the AO 13 s. 2005, to ensure that the standards will be relevant to the new and emerging trends in community-based services. These standards are also in consonance with the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) current policy directions of strengthening communitybased services as these services require lesser resources, minimize the tendency to institutionalization, and are supportive of developmental and preventive interventions. Setting of standards for these services allows the clients to participate in a helping process that is sanctioned, organized and empowers them to become self-sustaining individuals, groups, families and communities. These standards also ensure that service providers are responsible and accountable in providing quality services.II. LEGAL BASIS
These standards are hereby formulated by the DSWD based on the following laws and policies:
A. National Laws
1. Republic Act No. 4373 also known as the Social Work Law mandates that DSWD to regulate the operation of social work agencies, part of which is
setting the standards of quality service.
2. Republic Act No. 5416 of 1968 entitled "Providing for Comprehensive Social Services for Individuals and Groups in Need of Assistance, creating the
Department of Social Welfare. In Section 3, it provides that the Department shall:
a. Set standards and policies to ensure effective implementation of public and private social welfare programs;
b. Accredit institutions and organizations, public and private, engaged in social welfare activity including the licensing of child caring and child placement institutions and provide consultative services thereto.
3. Executive Order 292 (Administrative Code of 1987), Title XVI, Chapter I, Section
3, provides that the Department shall:
a. accredit institutions and organizations engaged in social welfare activities and provide consultative and information services to them;
b. set standards, accredit and monitor performance of all social welfare activities in both public and private sectors.
4. Executive Order 221 Series of 2003 (Amending Executive Order No. 15 series of 1998, entitled redirecting the Functions and Operations of the Department of
Social Welfare and Development) provides that:
a. Sec. 2 Roles of the DSWD - (d) Licensor and accreditor of social welfare development agencies and service providers.
b. Sec. 3 Powers of the DSWD - (a) Set standards, accredit and provide consultative services to institutions, organizations and persons engaged in
social welfare activities and monitor performance of institutions, organizations and persons engaged in social welfare activities, both public and private.
B. DSWD Policies and Guidelines
1. Administrative Order No. 8 series of 2009 also known as Standards for Community Based Services for Street Children, sets the performance standards on service delivery to street children to ensure quality care and their best welfare and interests.
2. Administrative Order No. 17 s. 2008 also known as Rules and Regulations on the Registration and Licensing of Social Welfare and Development Programs and Services provides the steps involved in assessing and processing applications for registration, licensing and accreditation, requirements needed,benchmark standards for setting up social welfare agencies, as well as policies and legal bases integral to the regulatory function.
3. Administrative Order No. 10 s. 2009 also known as Standards for Rape Crisis Centers guides concerned government and private social welfare and development agencies in the establishment and provision of quality programs and services for survivors of rape and other forms of sexual abuse, theirfamilies and communities.
III.COVERAGE
These standards shall apply to all registered and licensed social welfare and development agencies (SWDAs) including the Local Government Units (LGUs) and DSWD's community-based services and statutory programs such as but not limited to the following:
a. Preventive, rehabilitative and developmental programs and initiatives that mobilize/utilize the family and community to respond to a problem, need, issue or concern of children, youth, women, person with disabilities, older persons and families who are in need and at-risk. This includes the following:
I. Child Protective Services - Preventive and rehabilitation services provided to children victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation. These include provision of immediate intervention for children's early recovery and reintegration to their families
ii. Therapy Services for Abused Children - Therapeutic interventions and approaches provided to children to overcome the negative effects of abuse. These aim to maximize their potentials towards living a normal and productive life.
III. Alternative Family Care - This provides permanent or temporary family care arrangement to children whose parents are unable to provide for their basic needs, temporarily or permanently. This is provided to a child in three ways- Adoption, foster care and Legal Guardianship.
iv. Special Social Services for Children in Armed Conflict (CIAC) - Provision of a package of social services and interventions designed to protect and rehabilitate children affected directly or indirectly by armed conflict.v. Services for Women in Especially Difficult Circumstances - Provision of community-based and residential-care services to women to enable them to resolve their problems as well as prepare them for their eventual return to their families and communities.
vi. Neighborhood Support Services for Older Persons - A program that involves the community/neighborhood to take effective steps to enhance members of the families in their care-giving capability to sick, frail or bedridden older person. This involves training of volunteers who are willing to share their skills and service as a resource person of the community on the proper care of older persons.
b. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program - is a poverty reduction and social development strategy of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education particularly of children aged 0-14.
c. KALAHI ClODS stands for Kapit-Bisig Laban sa KahirapanComprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services is the Philippine government's flagship poverty-alleviation project implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. It is funded in part by a loan from the World Bank. It entrusts the poor with greater powers, supports poor LGUs in local development, and invests heavily on people, not just projects.
d. Self-Employment Assistance - Kaunlaran Program (SEA-K) - capability building program designed to enhance the socio-economic skills of poor families to establish and self-manage community based micro-credit organizations for entrepreneurial development. Policies and procedures set forth in A. O. 17 s. 2009 shall govern the registration licensing and accreditation process and requirements for community based services through the use of appropriate instruments.
IV. DEFINITION OF TERMS
The following terms are defined as used in this guideline:
1. Community Based Services - refer to programs and services rendered when the helping process takes place in the community as the primary client system
or when social welfare and development activities are provided to the beneficiaries while they remain in their homes. It is characterized by interaction between client and community worker in relation to the resolution of identified problems and concerns. Community-based service/s include senior citizens center, day care center, vocational rehabilitation center, sponsorship/scholarship program, assistance to victims of disaster etc. and social services to individual and families while in their home or in the community.
2. Beneficiaries - refer to disadvantaged, marginalized and vulnerable individuals, groups, families and communities availing any of the services offered by SWDAs. These may include but are not limited to the following: -
a. Abandoned, neglected, orphaned, abused and exploited children and other children in need of special protection e.g. children in conflict with the law.
b. Out-of-school youth and other youth with special needs
c. Women in especially difficult circumstances (WEDC)
d. Persons with disability or differently-abled persons which refers to those suffering from restriction of various abilities, as a result of mental, physical and sensory disorder.
e. Senior Citizens, an individual who is 60 years old and above.
f. Marginalized and disadvantaged individuals, families and communities e.g. indigenous group/s, those in crisis situation/s, internally displaced due to armed conflict.
g. Victims of natural and man-made calamities/disasters.
3. Child Protection - involves keeping children safe from harm or child abuse defined as all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or
negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse (National Strategic Framework for Action to End Violence Against Children). This is achieved by providing a safe, open and honest environment that protects children as well as the people working with children. Child Protection Policy reflects the standards set forth by international and national laws and provides guidance and procedures for the agency staff to follow when or if they discover or suspect that a child has been or is being abused or neglected.
4. Generalist approach - an approach where the social worker provides services to clients with problems or in situations where expert or specialist interventions are not needed. However, he must possess the capacity to spot a problem or situation which will require the intervention of a specialist and make the necessary referral to the appropriate agency or worker (Dictionary of Social Work: Philippine Setting, Leonora S. de Guzman, Quezon City, 1988).
5. Specialist approach - an approach where the social worker who has demonstrated expert knowledge and skills in his area of specialization which
may be defined in several ways according to the population served (children, persons with disability, older persons, among others), focal problems, practice
setting, and method used (Dictionary of Social Work: Philippine Setting, Leonora S. de Guzman, Quezon City, 1988) Page 4 of 216. Community Organization - a social work method which seeks to assist communities in meeting their needs and/or improving their living conditions. It helps people organize recognize, analyze and rank their needs and problems and help them solve these with indigenous or created resources as much as possible (Dictionary of Social Work: Philippine Setting, Leonora S. de Guzman, Quezon City, 1988).
7. Community Development - as a method of community organization work it is the process by which the physical improvement of the community is brought about with the active participation of and largely upon the initiative of the community, drawing as much as possible from their resources (Dictionary of Social Work: Philippine Setting, Leonora S. de Guzman, Quezon City, 1988)
"SOME AGENCIES WE WORK WITH"
THE HONORABLE
Corazon Soliman’s profile
Hon. Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Juliano Soliman,
Philippine’s Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development
• Previously Executive Vice-President of Community Organizers Multiversity and Executive Director of CO-TRAIN;
• Pioneer, trainer and coordinator in developing a rural organizing programme under the province’s Social Action Center in Bukidnon, Philippines (1976);
• MA 1998 in Public Administration (Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University), B. Sc. (1973) in Social Work (University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman), University Scholar and Gerry Roxas Leadership Awardee;
• Recipient of numerous awards and citations in the field of social work and community development, including the Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service Award (1992) and the Most Distinguished Alumnus Award (University of the Philippines);
• Committed social worker;
• Helped local farmers save native rice strains from extinction through a pioneering grassroots program of chemical-free cross-fertilization (1973);
• While very pregnant, successfully campaigned (1987) for the passage of the agrarian reform law, uniting for a time the entire Philippine agrarian community;
• Dedicated her life to organizing communities, fighting for the rights of the disadvantaged;
• Crossed over from NGO to government, where she is currently revolutionizing the department, steering it towards more people-empowering and holistic development programs;
• Recognised negotiator and facilitator who has won a very large following in all social strata and managed to translate the language of the historically oppressed into working relations with the rest of Philippine society, under the belief that evolution, and not revolution, was the way to achieve sustainable change;
• Strenuous advocate of collaboration between government and civil society: “For me, reform is something undertaken from two sides of government – inside and out. This is why I am very keen on maintaining a continuous stream of communication with my roots – the NGO sector. I always remind my colleagues and comrades to continue exacting accountability from the government and to tell us how we are really doing. This of course, should be carried out parallel with their own efforts at social change.”
Hon. Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Juliano Soliman,
Philippine’s Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development
• Previously Executive Vice-President of Community Organizers Multiversity and Executive Director of CO-TRAIN;
• Pioneer, trainer and coordinator in developing a rural organizing programme under the province’s Social Action Center in Bukidnon, Philippines (1976);
• MA 1998 in Public Administration (Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University), B. Sc. (1973) in Social Work (University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman), University Scholar and Gerry Roxas Leadership Awardee;
• Recipient of numerous awards and citations in the field of social work and community development, including the Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service Award (1992) and the Most Distinguished Alumnus Award (University of the Philippines);
• Committed social worker;
• Helped local farmers save native rice strains from extinction through a pioneering grassroots program of chemical-free cross-fertilization (1973);
• While very pregnant, successfully campaigned (1987) for the passage of the agrarian reform law, uniting for a time the entire Philippine agrarian community;
• Dedicated her life to organizing communities, fighting for the rights of the disadvantaged;
• Crossed over from NGO to government, where she is currently revolutionizing the department, steering it towards more people-empowering and holistic development programs;
• Recognised negotiator and facilitator who has won a very large following in all social strata and managed to translate the language of the historically oppressed into working relations with the rest of Philippine society, under the belief that evolution, and not revolution, was the way to achieve sustainable change;
• Strenuous advocate of collaboration between government and civil society: “For me, reform is something undertaken from two sides of government – inside and out. This is why I am very keen on maintaining a continuous stream of communication with my roots – the NGO sector. I always remind my colleagues and comrades to continue exacting accountability from the government and to tell us how we are really doing. This of course, should be carried out parallel with their own efforts at social change.”