Taguig City welcomed 110 third-year social work students and six faculty members from Bicol University for an educational visit focused on local government social welfare programs, community services, and the responsibilities of social workers. Held on October 13, 2026, the visit gave the delegation an opportunity to learn how Taguig delivers social services to its residents, from child protection and early childhood development to mental health support and assistance for vulnerable sectors.
Connecting Classroom Learning With Real-World Social Work
The delegation from Bicol University's College of Social Sciences and Philosophy visited the Lakeshore Dome 3 in Barangay Lower Bicutan as part of a seven-day educational tour of Metro Manila. The activity was initiated by the university through its SW 119: Field Observation course, which connects academic lessons with actual social work practice.
City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) Head Nikki Rose Operario welcomed the visitors and discussed the responsibilities involved in delivering social welfare services to Taguig's population of more than 1.3 million.
Operario also encouraged the students to remain open to working with different sectors and communities in the future. Social workers in local government may assist children, women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and other groups with varying needs.
Registered social worker Maruja Martini Cortuna presented the city's social welfare programs, explaining the office's organizational structure, functions, and legal mandate under Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991.
Exploring Taguig's Community-Based Welfare Programs
During the presentation, the students learned about several programs designed to support families, children, and vulnerable members of the community. These included supplementary feeding, Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD), and the distribution of free educational materials, school supplies, and uniforms under the city's no-collection policy.
The delegation also learned about Taguig's child protection services, including the Taguig Lingap Center, Taguig Bahay Pag-asa, and adoption and alternative child care programs.
Other initiatives discussed included Taguig CARES (Community Awareness towards Resilient and Empowered Students), mental health support, and assistance programs for solo parents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable sectors.
An open forum followed the presentation, allowing students to ask questions about program implementation and the challenges social workers encounter while serving communities. The exchange gave the future practitioners a closer look at how social welfare policies are carried out at the local level.
Building Meaningful Connections Through Public Service
Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, who joined the activity, emphasized that effective social welfare goes beyond providing financial or material assistance. She highlighted the importance of building meaningful relationships with the people being served to create lasting change. The city also presented certificates of appreciation and tokens to the visiting faculty members, while Bicol University recognized Operario for Taguig's support in facilitating the educational visit.
As part of their Metro Manila tour, the students also visited The Mind Museum in Bonifacio Global City, where they explored interactive science exhibits. Through the visit, Taguig shared its experience in delivering community-based social services while giving future social workers a better understanding of the demands, responsibilities, and human connections involved in local government service.
