Sama-samang naglilingkod ang iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno para sa pagbangon ng Pamilyang Pilipino. Nang nagsimula ang COVID-19 outbreak, agarang nagtipon ang Inter-Agency Technical Working Group on Social Amelioration dahil nakikita ang kahalagahan ng whole-of-nation approach upang masiguro ang kapakanan ng ating kababayan sa panahon ng pandemyang ito.

Isinasaalang-alang ng mga ahensya ang mga pangangailangan ng ating kababayan upang sila ay mabigyan ng mga sumusunod na kauukulang tulong o inisyatibo:

1. Department of Social Welfare and Development

• Emergency Subsidy Program – Social Amelioration Program (ESP-SAP)

2. Department of Labor and Employment

• COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP)
• Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers – #Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko (TUPAD – #BKBK)

3. Department of Agriculture

• Financial Subsidy for Rice Farmers (FSRF)
• Rice Farmer Financial Assistance (RFFA) – kung saan 597,000 na magsasaka ang nabigyan din ng cash assistance noong May 26.
• Survival and Recovery Assistance Program (SURE)

4. Department of Interior and Local Government

• Pagsubabay sa tungkulin ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa Social Amelioration Program at sa distribusyon ng emergency subsidy sa kani-kanilang lugar.
• Paglalabas ng Show-Cause Orders sa mga lokal na pamahalaan na may mababang accomplishment rate at pagsasampa ng mga kaso sa mga lokal opisyal na may diumano may irregularidad ukol sa distribusyon ng emergency subsidy.

5. Department of Budget and Management and Department of Finance

• Pagsisiguro at paglilikon ng pondo para sa Social Amelioration Program

6. Department of Trade and Industry

• COVID-19 Pondo Para sa Pagbabago at Pag-Asenso Enterprise Rehabilitation
• Pagbigay ng Loan Moratorium
• Livelihood Seeding Program/Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay
• Pag-momonitor ng mga presyo habang umiiral ang community quarantine

Sa pamamagitan ng whole-of-nation approach, patuloy ang pakikipag-ugnayan at pakiki-pagtulungan ng iba’t ibang ahensya upang mabigyan ng tulong ang marami sa ating mga kababayan na pinaka-apektado sa panahon ng pandemyang ito.  ###

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) hailed all social workers in the country for their significant role especially during these trying times as it joins the nation in recognizing their unwavering commitment this Philippine Social Worker’s Day, June 19.

As the lead agency that provides social protection services, DSWD believes that social workers are among the main contributors for the government’s prompt and efficient delivery of social welfare services and development programs for the poor.

Amid the challenges brought about by the pandemic, social workers respond to this crisis and remain steadfast in their mission to enhance human well-being and help meet the need and ensure the empowerment of the poor and vulnerable individuals and families. Despite the dangers that they face, social workers remain committed to serve in the frontlines and deliver the immediate needs of their clients during calamities, disasters, public health emergencies, or human welfare concerns. This selfless act is one of the many noble qualities of Filipino social workers which the Department highly regards.

DSWD, in coordination with the different social work organizations across the nation, pledges its continued commitment towards the advancement of social work practices and profession by further developing strategies and approaches that will improve the skills and competencies of Filipino social workers. The social work organizations include the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI); National Association for Social Work Education, Inc. (NASWEI); Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines, Inc. (ALSWDOPI); DOH League of Medical Social Workers; Association of Medical Social Workers of the Philippines, Inc. (AMSWPI); National Council of Social Development, Inc. (NCSD); Philippine Association of Court Social Workers, Inc. (PACSWI); Association of Child Caring Agencies of the Philippines, Inc. (ACCAP); and the Association of DSWD Social Workers, Inc. (ADSWI), among others.

DSWD extends its gratitude to all Filipino social workers and acknowledges their vital role as contributors to the country’s sustainable development. ###

In response to the needs of the local government units (LGUs) who are now focusing on providing relief to their constituents, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 10 continues to release family food packs (FFPs) as its augmentation to support to the LGUs.

59,779 FFPs are now ready for release to the requesting LGUs across Northern Mindanao, and has a standby fund of P88,214,905.48 for any disaster related needs and activities.

Each FFP contains six kilos of rice, eight assorted canned goods, or 6 sachets of coffee or cereal drink.

The DSWD Field Office 10 also made sure that the FFPs are accessible to the requesting LGU by storing DSWD goods in strategic places across the region.

As of June 17, 2020, 56 LGUs have already received FFPs as per request received by the regional office. A total of 28, 000 FFPs were distributed with total value of ₱ 11, 293, 065.00.

For Bukidnon, eight LGUs have requested FFPs from the Department with a total of 4,000 FFPs for the province alone; in Camiguin Province, a total of 2,500 FFPs were extended to the five municipalities; in Lanao del Norte, 15 LGUs requested a total of 7,500 relief goods; in Misamis Occidental, 14 LGUs requested 7,000 FFPs for the whole province, and Misamis Oriental with 7,000 FFPs for 14 LGUs.

With the pandemic that’s affected thousands of families in crisis, the DSWD Field Office 10 continues to support the LGUs so they can effectively and efficiently provide the needs of their constituents as they thrive to survive the crisis brought about by COVID-19.

The DSWD is mandated to provide augmentation support to the LGUs especially in times of disasters and calamities.

Over 100,000 indigent senior citizens of Region 10 have received their stipend for the first semester of 2020 under the government’s Social Pension (SocPen) Program through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

As of June 17, 2020, a total of 120,683 beneficiaries from Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental have received their six months’ worth of pension from January to June this year, amounting to more than P362 million. It covers 58.74% of the total 205,453 beneficiaries of the social pension.

SocPen is a program under Republic Act No. 9994 or the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,” that provides a monthly stipend of P500 to qualified indigent senior citizens to augment their daily sustenance and other medical needs. Each social pensioner receives P3,000 on a semestral basis for six months’ worth of pension.

The conduct of payouts to every municipality in different provinces has ensured compliance with safety protocols and health standards.

Meanwhile, DSWD’s regular Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) has provided more than P92 million worth of financial assistance to more than 11 thousand clients in Northern Mindanao during the 1st and 2nd quarter this year.

Under AICS, target beneficiaries receive immediate intervention through outright cash assistance to individuals and families going through crisis situations or challenging circumstances. This includes rescued trafficked individuals, former rebels, distressed Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs), and Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs).

DSWD has also assisted clients with COVID-19-related concerns through AICS, aside from the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) cash subsidy. DSWD continues to assist individuals and families—especially the vulnerable and the disadvantaged in coping with the crisis during these unprecedented times.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 10 has provided relief assistance to the stranded students, returning individuals, and some frontliners in Northern Mindanao region.

Workers of DSWD Field Office 10, in coordination with the administrators of Mindanao State University, Marawi City Campus and Task Force Bangon Marawi, provided 120 sacks of rice to 1,000 students who were stranded inside the state university’s dormitory when community quarantine was implemented in March this year.

In April, DSWD Field Office 10 provided food items such as sacks of rice, canned goods, and coffee to 408 students of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology in Iligan City.

DSWD Field Office 10 Regional Director Mari-Flor A. Dollaga said she sent teams to distribute the food items to stranded students after receiving information that hundreds of them are stranded inside the campus due to COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have not forgotten them. They needed our help at that time,” said Director Dollaga.

She added that during this crisis, DSWD will never neglect those who are in need.

Meanwhile, DSWD has provided food items to returning individuals who are stranded within and outside of the region during the early implementation of community quarantine.

A total of 400 returning individuals were aided with food items in May while this month, the food items were delivered to different temporary holding areas for returning individuals throughout the region.

Also, the agency provided food items to members of the Philippine Coast Guard who were on duty at that time in quarantine areas.

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 10 continues to provide assistance to the internally displaced persons (IDPs), particularly to families and individuals from the 24 most affected areas.

Three years since the Marawi siege, DSWD Field Office 10 provides an additional P14,400 transitory family support package (TFSP) to the homeowners of the 24 most affected areas (MAA) of Marawi City.

DSWD targets 17,905 beneficiaries from the “Kathanor” list, which is a result of the biometric profiling process called “Kathanor.”

Last week, DSWD Field Office 10 and other national government agencies under Task Force Bangon Marawi started the payout for the homeowners from Barangay Sangcay Dansalan, Marawi City while payout is ongoing for Datu Naga residents for this week.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, DSWD Field Office 10 continues the payout in coordination with the local government unit of Marawi City, by strictly implementing health protocols in the fight against the spread of coronavirus disease.

As the beneficiaries enter the venue of distribution, they underwent thermal scanning and handwashing. They were also required to wear face masks. DSWD also provided face masks to those who do not have them.

The number of beneficiaries being served per day has been reduced from 1,500 to 300 in order to strictly observe the health and safety protocols.

The 82nd Infantry Battalion and12th Civil-Military Operations Battalion of the Philippine Army provided security during the distribution. The Task Force Bangon Marawi Field Office and Marawi City Social Welfare and Development Office also provided support.

DSWD is a co-lead agency together with the Department of Health for the Subcommittee on Health and Social Welfare and Task Force Bangon Marawi.

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has turned over a total of P4, 035,000 cash donation to Benguet General Hospital as part of its collective effort to contribute to the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Benguet General Hospital has been the chosen recipient of the DSWD COVID-19 cash donation, which was raised through the voluntary contribution of the Department’s officials and employees in its Central and Field Offices (FOs). The amount was deducted from the May and June payroll of all the willing personnel.

DSWD Undersecretary for General Administration and Support Services Group Jose Ernesto B. Gaviola and FO Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Director Leo Quintilla led the turnover of the donation in a simple ceremony held today at the FO CAR in Baguio City.

In his message, delivered by Usec. Gaviola, DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista explained that the donation is a symbol of the collective efforts and bayanihan spirit among DSWD workers and a sign of their gratefulness to medical frontliners who are battling the pandemic.

“Helping the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized is not only our duty, but also our purpose. DSWD is one in giving premium to the work extended and sacrifices made by public servants, such as all of your here, all the more during this challenging time,” the Secretary said.

Sec. Bautista explained that DSWD conducted a survey among its personnel and coordinated with the Department of Health in determining the public hospitals with the most number of COVID-19 patients but have least available funds. With the increase in the number of cases in Benguet, the Department, he said, recognized the need for the Benguet General Hospital for more assistance.

Benguet Province Governor Dr. Melchor D. Diclas thanked DSWD employees for their donation to Benguet General Hospital, which, he said, is the only hospital in the province that treat COVID-19 patients.

“Maraming maraming salamat po dito sa sakripisyo ng mga empleyado ng DSWD. Alam natin na this is a sacrifice. Sweldo nila ang pinanggalingan. Malaking tulong po ito sa Benguet General Hospital natin. Ito yung gagamitin natin for our COVID-19 patients. Thank you very much. Papahalagahan po natin ito.” Governor Diclas said.

Benguet General Hospital Chief Dr. Meliarazon Dulay, likewise, thanked the Department for choosing their hospital as the recipient of its donation.

“It’s an honor for Benguet General Hospital to be chosen as your recipient from DSWD COVID-19 donation from your employees, our angels in red vest. Dr. Dulay added that the DSWD has been a longtime partner of the hospital in giving assistance to their clients. According to her, the donated amount will augment their resources in serving their clients. “Thank you very much, you will forever be our partner in the service of our people especially in the province of Benguet,” she said.

The Benguet General Hospital started its COVID-19 battle since February. A total of 1,812 persons under investigation have been recorded in the hospital, while the facility has already admitted 357 suspected cases. It currently has 19 active COVID-19 patients.

“We hope that this little amount can contribute to the efforts initiated by the Benguet General Hospital and the Province of Benguet. We recognize the hard work and dedication of all medical frontliners who continue to deliver the much-needed services amid the threat of COVID-19. The Angels in Red Vests are one with you in this battle against an invisible enemy. DSWD shall be your partner as we uphold our commitment to work and our compassion to serve,” Sec. Bautista ended. ###

Officials and employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have joined together to help raise funds for the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

DSWD personnel in the Department’s Central and Regional offices responded to a memorandum issued by DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista calling for any voluntary contribution to be used for COVID-19 response.

A total of P4,035,000.00 has been raised from the bayanihan initiative. The amount committed was deducted from the May and June payroll of all the willing personnel.

The collected funds will be donated to Benguet General Hospital in La Trinidad, Benguet to help the medical facility respond to the needs of COVID-19 patients and its medical frontliners.

Secretary Bautista thanked all the Department’s personnel who, apart from working to deliver the  emergency cash subsidy under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) to low-income families most affected by the community quarantine, went beyond their jobs to extend additional aid through their voluntary contributions to those in need in the midst of the crisis.

The collective effort is part of DSWD’s continued commitment to contribute to the country’s pandemic response. It is also a way of the Department’s personnel to show solidarity, compassion, and dedicated service to the vulnerable sectors affected by the crisis. ###