Manila, March 25 -- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday commended the dedication and selfless acts of social workers to help families affected by disasters.

"The engagement of social workers is crucial at all stages in disaster response management, from mitigating its devastating effects through providing humanitarian aid during response efforts, to providing psychosocial interventions to help those affected in rebuilding their lives. Even when their families are also affected by calamities, social workers step out of their homes to help those in utmost need," Gatchalian said in his speech during the hybrid celebration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Social Work Da...