Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) — Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday said the agency is streamlining its operations after a lawmaker flagged the total of 30 undersecretaries and assistant secretaries under him.
During the House appropriations committee’s briefing on the proposed ₱209.9-billion budget of the DSWD and its attached agencies for 2024, Gatchalian disclosed that the agency has 10 incumbent undersecretaries and 20 assistant secretaries.
“We are currently in the process of streamlining some more,” he added.
Gatchalian said all appointees went through the proper processes. He also noted that the DSWD has one of the largest workforces in the bureaucracy, with over 34,000 employees.
“We also want to put into account that we run a big bureaucracy and we run multiple programs, and rightfully so. We will review and we’re reviewing it already,” the secretary said.
ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said the DSWD’s funds could be put to better use for the benefits of social workers instead of hiring executives. She also pressed Gatchalian to increase the number of regular employees.
Gatchalian acknowledged that around 65% of those on the agency’s payroll are either contractual or job order employees.
He assured the lawmaker the agency is working with the Department of Budget and Management to increase the number of budgetary items for regular positions, but not all of DSWD’s requests are granted.
