UPOU Chancellor Joane V. Serrano (fourth from left) and UPOU FMDS Dean Finaflor Taylan (leftmost), along with representatives from DSWD Capability Building and Knowledge Management Divisions and UPOU staff members.
The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) convened on 22 May 2025 to assess the progress and map out future steps for the ongoing capacity-building initiative for Social Welfare Assistants (SWAs).
Chancellor Joane V. Serrano led the UPOU delegation, joined by Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) Dean, Dr. Finaflor F. Taylan; Office of Public Affairs (OPA) Director, Dr. Primo Garcia; Representative of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and University Researcher IV, Ms. Alvie Alip; and University Research Associate I, Ms. Sydney Rovin Macahiya. Representing the DSWD team were Division Chief Precilia A. Docuyanan, on behalf of the Director, and representatives from its Capability Building and Knowledge Management Divisions.
The program has trained 209 SWAs across five batches with sessions held in various locations. Participant feedback has been overwhelmingly positive on the previous batches, with average ratings between 4.78 and 4.94 out of 5. The training, which covered social welfare, ethics, case management, and psychological first aid, has reportedly empowered SWAs and elevated their workplace roles.
Plans for Level 2 training are now in the works, focusing on deeper topics such as program management and advanced communication. A Level 3 course exploring clinical social work and trauma-informed care is also being considered.
To ensure sustainability and nationwide impact, the group proposed a Training of Trainers (ToT) program delivered as microcredentials drawing upon UPOU’s Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL) expertise. DSWD expressed support for self-paced module development to reach 1,000 LGUs.
A pilot session for Level 2, titled “Program Development and Communication,” is set for 7-11 July 2025. Both institutions committed to finalizing the MOA and aligning course structures with MC and ODeL principles.
The meeting concluded with strong commitments to deepen collaboration and refine content to meet the evolving needs of SWAs across the country. This partnership reflects UPOU’s vision as a Transformative University of the Future (TUoF), one that uses flexible learning and meaningful collaboration to support capacity building and public service at the grassroots level.
Dr. Taylan explains future steps the project will undertake.
Dr. Serrano and Dr. Taylan in an engaging discussion with the DSWD representatives.
Written by Sydney Rovin Macahiya ♦ Edited by Primo Garcia and Anna Cañas-Llamas ♦ Photos by Anthea Faye Peredo
#UPOpenUniversity
