Social welfare is a development priority of the Philippine government. Conceptually, social
welfare refers to the "well being of all the members of human society, including their physical,
mental, emotional, social, economic and spiritual" state (Mendoza 198: 1). It can be achieved
through laws, programs, benefits, and services that assure or strengthen provisions in
meeting basic needs. Ultimately, social welfare provisions redound to the good of the social
order (Mendoza 1981: 1). These provisions may be directed to –