Quezon City (27 October) -- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral has ordered the strengthening of DSWD’s research capability to enable the Department to accurately evaluate the impact of its various programs, projects and services on the beneficiaries.

In line with this, some 40 planning officers from the different DSWD field offices and other technical staff of bureaus and offices in the central office are attending a five-day training titled “Enhancing Research Skills in Social Welfare and Development Planning/Policy Development” at Bayview Park Hotel, Manila.

“The training is anchored on a DSWD main thrust, which is the formulation and updating of research agenda. I believe that through this training, the services we provide to various sectors shall be more responsive to their needs,” said Secretary Cabral.

In addition, the Secretary said, “I want to ensure that the DSWD staff directly involved with or responsible in the preparation of studies and researches are equipped with knowledge and skills along analysis and utilization of research report, particularly in the determination of implications along social development planning.”

The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD)– Department of Science and Technology developed the training design and modules which uses lectures, workshops and plenary sessions during the training.

At the end of the training, the participants are expected to be the “prime movers” of change and development and eventually come up with a research design of DSWD for 2007 is required from the group that will be used by the Policy Development and Planning Bureau (PDPB) of the DSWD.