A new initiative aimed at boosting social protection, inclusion, and gender equality in the Philippines officially launched on Thursday in Makati City. The program, known as SPRING (Social Protection, Inclusion, and Gender Equality), was introduced as part of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) annual Partnership Forum.
With a P1.5 billion investment over five years, the SPRING program will see the Australian and Philippine governments work together as strategic partners to reduce poverty and create equal opportunities for all Filipinos. The program will focus on enhancing the Philippines’ social protection systems through technical assistance, capacity-building, and evidence-based policy reforms.
Key components of SPRING include strengthening gender budgeting and mainstreaming, improving disability data to enhance services, and boosting indigenous peoples’ access to government services.
The official launch was marked by the signing of a subsidiary agreement between Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. HK Yu, and Secretary Rex Gatchalian of the DSWD. The program is set to run from 2024 to 2029.
Ambassador Yu emphasized the importance of the SPRING program in helping the Philippines achieve the development objectives outlined in the Australia-Philippines Development Partnership Plan 2024–2029.
“Australia is committed to working with the Philippines to achieve its development goals, and through SPRING, we are stepping up our support for the most disadvantaged Filipinos,” said Ambassador Yu.
The new initiative builds on Australia’s long-standing support for social protection in the Philippines and aligns with both countries’ shared vision of a more prosperous and resilient nation.
Secretary Gatchalian also expressed strong support for SPRING, noting that the DSWD welcomed the Australian Government’s assistance in strengthening the country’s social protection mechanisms, which have already benefited 24 million Filipinos in 2024 alone.
“The DSWD understands that our country is diverse and constantly evolving. That is why we continue to innovate our approach to be as dynamic and responsive as possible. We thank the Australian Government for investing in strengthening the Philippine Government’s systems to reduce poverty, address gender inequality, and promote social inclusion,” said Secretary Gatchalian.
The SPRING program is a significant step forward in the Australia-Philippines partnership, helping to ensure that the most vulnerable members of Filipino society benefit from better access to services and opportunities.
