Social Workers nationwide to celebrate Social Work Week
Social workers nationwide will celebrate the Social Work Week on June 13-19 in commemoration of the anniversary of Republic Act 4373 otherwise known as the Social Work Law passed on June 19, 1965. The theme for this year's celebration is "Social Workers: Show the Difference! Tis is a sequel of last year's theme Making a World of Difference The celebration is another opportunity for Ilonggo social workers to take the center stage.
It will be recalled that in 2005, social workers in Western Visayas took the initiative for the declaration of June 13-19 as Social Work Week to give recognition to the role of social workers in nation building. The resolution was endorsed by the Regional Development Council and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
As a response, almost all of the provinces and major cities in Region VI through respective Sangguniang Panlalawigan/Panglunsod have already declared June 13-19 as Social Work Week in support of such initiative. Eventually, the national association of social workers has endorsed the annual celebration. With that Ilonggos have etched again their mark in the annals of the history of this noble profession.
It will be recalled that among the 7 pioneers that formed the first association of social workers in the Philippines, three came from Western Visayas, namely: Josefa Jara Martinez, (mother of former first lady Ming Ramos), Carmen Montinola-Luz (mother of Makati Business Club executive Bill Luz), and Felicidad A. De Silva from Capiz. Martinez will always be remembered as the first and foremost among Filipino social work pioneer. The social worker-senator who authored the RA 4373 Dr. Maria Kalaw-Katigbak reportedly traces her roots from Molo, Iloilo.
This year's celebration in Iloilo will kick off with a motorcade around the city on June 13, 1:00pm from Central Philippine University going around the Iloilo City to converge at SM City Activity Center for the Opening Program at 2:00 pm. Other week-long activities include Social Work Camp on June 14-15; Film Showing at DSWD on June 16; Forum on Best Practice at New Provincial Capitol building on June 17, 9:00 am; and Forum on Volunteerism and ASIN Assembly at Educational Media Center, CPU on June 18, 10am. The Culminating Activity will be on June 19, 6:30 pm at the Alumni Promenade Concert Park, CPU which will be highlighted with Fellowship Dinner and Cultural Presentations. Similar activities will be conducted in respective provinces
This year's committee to spearhead the celebration is chaired by Rev. Edwin I. Lariza, CPU Outreach Director, and National President of ASIN. ASIN stands for Alliance of Social workers, welfare and development advocates for Integrated services and Nationalism. Members are Department of Social Welfare and Development, City Social Welfare and Development Office, Iloilo Provincial Social Welfare and Development, Signpost, Junior Social Workers Association and Philippine Associations of Social Workers-Iloilo.