DSWD prioritizes cybersecurity, digital transformation in programs

MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) puts a premium in strengthening cybersecurity and in adopting innovative and transformative approaches to better serve the Filipino people, an agency official said on Thursday.

"Priority ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian ang cybersecurity kaya ganon din tayo ka-vigilant at ka-aggressive doon sa paglalagay natin ng mga mekanismo para protektahan ang sistema natin. (Secretary Gatchalian's priority is cybersecurity, that's why we are equally vigilant and aggressive in implementing mechanisms to protect our systems)," DSWD Chief Information Officer Assistant Secretary Julius Exequel Gorospe told reporters during the Thursday Media Forum at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.

"And tuloy-tuloy yan, hindi yung pag nilagay mo na ay nandyan na at kampante ka na. Tuloy-tuloy yan binabantayan 24/7 at marami tayong tao na nakakalat sa Pilipinas na naghahalinhinan para bantayan (It's continuous; it's not just about setting it up and feeling secure afterwards, it's a constant monitoring, 24/7, with many personnel deployed across the Philippines to keep watch)," he added.

Gorospe said the DSWD also recognizes the importance of robust data protection in the delivery of social protection programs and services.

He pointed out that recent hacking attempts into the DSWD system were thwarted due to vigilant monitoring of its personnel and support from the DSWD leadership in protecting the data of beneficiaries.

In the agency's digital transformation efforts, Gorospe presented the innovative solutions being done by the DSWD in its disaster response operations, profiling of families and individuals in street situations (FISS), and in the delivery of other programs and services.

He said the department's Disaster Response Command Center (DRCC) differs from other command centers in other government agencies.

Inaugurated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Jan. 12 this year, the DRCC is a 24/7 command center that stands as a central hub for disaster monitoring, reporting, and coordination of preparedness and response efforts.

It utilizes advanced information and communication equipment/assets to ensure the seamless collaboration between the DSWD Central Office, DSWD Field Offices (FOs), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) member-agencies, and other stakeholders.

"Dito makikita mo yung mga gulo o accident incidents na nangyayari and at the same time, sa kabila naman, nakikita nyo yung stockpile natin (Here, you see the disturbances or accident incidents that occur, while at the same time, on the other side, you see our stockpiles)," Gorospe said.

The DSWD has also deployed Mobile Command Centers (MCC) across its field offices that feature state-of-the-art Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment that will enable near real-time coordination and communication among national and local government agencies.

Using a tablet-based profiling app, the DSWD's Oplan Pag-Abot undertakes profiling activities for FISS to update a client's information in real-time from a remote location.

The e-profiling tool, which is part of the agency's digital transformation efforts, aims to expedite the overall reach-out operations of the Pag-Abot Program teams.

Gorospe said the DSWD has also partnered with different private agencies, including online payment portals, to digitize the payout systems of its programs and services.

"Dahil don sa ginagawa nating digital transformation ngayon, dapat ang mga benepisyaryo namin ay pwede nang mamili paano at ano ba yung pinakamagandang paraan para matanggap nila ang benepisyo (Because of the ongoing digital transformation, our beneficiaries should now have the option to choose how and in what manner they receive their benefits.)," he said. (PNA)