DSWD gives psychosocial help to children in Agusan

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office Caraga, deployed 17 social and development workers to help children deal with the emotional impact of the recent armed conflict near the border of Tubay town and Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte.

The DSWD team, coordinated by Retained Community-Based Services Head Michael Andohuyan, conducted Psychological First Aid (PFA) sessions for 332 students at Doña Telesfora Elementary School (Dotes).

“The psychosocial first aiders brought the commitment of the DSWD to addressing the needs of the students who are recovering from the traumatic experience due to the conflict,” DSWD spokesman Romel Lopez said on Monday.

On February 23, an armed confrontation broke out near the elementary school between members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and the Philippine Army.

The DSWD provides psychosocial help as part of its support to the local government unit (LGU), as requested by Tubay’s Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

“The school principal wanted immediate psychosocial aid among the students to overcome the aftermath of a distressing encounter,” Lopez said.

Responders from the department recognized the affected children’s resiliency, noting their engagement and openness in sharing their thoughts and emotions about the incident.

“Based on the assessment of the social workers and development workers who conducted the psychosocial first aid, there are no significant signs of extreme stress among the children. The results of the assessment affirm the readiness of these students to resume their studies without impediment,” Lopez said.

Dotes school head Liezel Santos thanked the DSWD Caraga for its prompt action, emphasizing the reassurance it brought to the community despite the limitations of distance and short notice.

“With your presence, I can also say that the security felt by the children has been reinforced because they saw that, whatever circumstances may arise for us, there are people willing to help, and you are one of them,” Santos said.

Lopez reaffirmed that the DSWD, as the principal government agency tasked with ensuring social protection, remains committed to protecting the well-being of all individuals, particularly children in conflict-affected areas.

The DSWD team was joined by an additional 13 social work interns who are currently working with DSWD Caraga.