Vocational Day #2

Today I visited the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Their major functions are policy and social technology development, standards setting for social service, and creating resources (especially center and community based programs and projects) to empower communities and individuals. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is a poverty reduction and social development program that provides conditional cash assistance to extremely poor households to improve health, nutrition, and education, especially those with children ages 0-14. The DSWD also runs community empowerment programs, child care and placement services, services for women and children, MR services, disaster management, and center based services. They have 64 residential treatment facilities nationwide.

And of course what day here is not complete without food. While I was thinking our standard meals have been fairly large, I was much mistaken once I encountered a Philippine brunch buffet. Afterwards we went to go relax at the beautiful home of PP Albert & PP Suzzette Lee. They spoiled us with more food and sweets while we lounged on the couches with our umbrella drinks. I think we were practicing for Boracay this weekend, but at the rate I am eating, it will be a feat to fit into my swimsuit!

The second part of my evening may need to be a blog post in itself. Unfortunately I need to get up at 5:30am tomorrow for our trip to Villa Escudero so you will just have to wait...