The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office X, which recently conducted a series of forum with local chief executives across Northern Mindanao, recently announced that referral letters from individuals, group of individuals, or organization, including public officials whether national or local executive, legislators, members of the judiciary or constitutional commission, are not integral to the implementation of the Protective Service Program (PSP) of the agency.

 

This after DSWD has been receiving various informal queries and clarification on its new policies and directives on the implementation of the DSWD’s PSP in relation to the Supreme Court decision declaring the unconstitutionality of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), hence the issuance of DSWD’s Memorandum Circular No.9 which is the supplemental guidelines in the implementation of PSP.

 
Basing as well to the Commission on Audit’s Memorandum dated March 1, 2016 entitled “Guidelines on the Treatment of Referrals of Potentials Beneficiaries to Programs of the National Government, Local Government Units and Government-owned or Controlled Corporations,” Regional Director Nestor B. Ramos explains that while referral letters may be considered, they are not binding on social workers tasked to evaluate the qualifications of beneficiaries.

 
“Based on Memorandum Circular No. 9 series 2016, DSWD social workers retains as the sole authority to determine the beneficiaries of the program based on the existing guidelines,” Ramos says.

 
Further, the DSWD has also released Memorandum Circular No. 11, where pre-qualified beneficiaries of DSWD assistance can now avail them outside DSWD offices or premises for convenience of the beneficiaries and for a safe, orderly and cost-efficient implementation of cash for work projects; educational assistance; and cash or guarantee letter for medical assistance and burial assistance to PSP beneficiaries, as provided under Memorandum Circular No. 11, series of 2016.

 
However, Ramos clarifies that “off-site release shall only be done only when on-site payment or release results or tends to result to inconvenience to beneficiaries or that is impractical or not cost-efficient.”

 
In the guidelines, the DSWD shall determine the off-site locations such as public schools, barangay halls, day care centers, multi-purpose halls, and covered courts, and that the venue or location shall put primary considerations to the safety and well-being of the beneficiaries and DSWD service providers.

Written by Charmaine P. Tadlas