Department of Social Welfare and Development(DSWD)

5 September 2020 Dear Ms. Geraldine Asis, Greetings! Thank you for your request dated 1 July 2020 under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch. Your request You requested information on the following for research purposes: (1) What are the social integration programs for the mentally challenged individuals?; (2) What are the programs of the government specific for the out of school mentally challenged individuals?; and (3) What are the health and welfare programs for the mentally challenged individuals in the country? Response to your request Unfortunately, the DSWD only has limited information on numbers (1), (2), and (3), specifically on those programs for mentally challenged individuals now residing in its centers and institutions. Thus, we shall partially grant your request and we shall refer your request with respect to these matters to the proper DSWD office. For number (1) as well as additional information on numbers (2) and (3), pursuant to Presidential Decree 1509, as amended, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) is the national government agency mandated to formulate policies and coordinate the activities of all agencies, whether public or private, concerning disability issues and concerns. Hence, you also may wish to direct your request to the NCDA. You may contact them by telephone at 932-6422 or via email at [email protected].. For number (2), your data might be requested either at the Department of Education (DepEd) or at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as they are the government agencies mandated to educate Out-of-School Youth, including mentally challenged individuals. For number (3), health programs for the mentally challenged individuals in this country is within the purview of the Department of Health (DOH). Hence, you may wish to direct your request to the DOH. You may make another request via this portal. You may also contact them by telephone at 651-7800 local 5001-5006 or via email at [email protected]. Your right to request a review If you are unhappy with this response to your FOI request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response by writing to Secretary ROLANDO JOSELITO D. BAUTISTA at DSWD-Central Office, IBP Road Batasan Pambansa Complex, Constitution Hills, Quezon City. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made within 15 calendar days from the date when you received this letter. We will complete the review and tell you the result within 30 calendar days from the date when we receive your review request. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Office of the President under Administrative Order No. 22 (s. 2011). Thank you. Respectfully, Atty. Sittie Raifah M. Pamaloy-Hassan FOI Decision Maker

22 September 2020 Dear Ms. Geraldine Asis, Greetings! Thank you for your request dated 1 July 2020 under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch. Your request You requested information on the following for research purposes: (1) What are the social integration programs for the mentally challenged individuals?; (2) What are the programs of the government specific for the out of school mentally challenged individuals?; and (3) What are the health and welfare programs for the mentally challenged individuals in the country? Response to your request Your FOI request was partially approved as we explained in the previous communication. We e-mailed the reply to the e-mail address you have provided. Thank you. Respectfully, Atty. Sittie Raifah M. Pamaloy-Hassan FOI Decision Maker