The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has vowed to implement stronger social protection programs following the Senate’s approval of its P210.6 billion budget for 2023.

The budget covers the DSWD Central Office and the Attached and Supervised Agencies, namely: Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), National Authority for Child Care (NACC), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), and Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP).

Among the three major programs that the Department will implement include: the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) with a budget allotment of P110.6 billion; Social Pension with Indigent Senior Citizens with a budget of P30.2 billion; and, protective services for individuals and families in especially difficult circumstances with a budget of P30.1 billion.

Meanwhile, the Department also has more than P11 billion for the implementation of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – National Community-Driven. Development Project (Kalahi-CIDSS-NCDDP), P6.9 billion for the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), P3.7 billion for the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP), and over P3.2 billion for services for residential and center-based clients.

In addition, the DSWD will also continue to provide technical advisory assistance and other related services to help local government units (LGUs) in their delivery of quality social welfare programs and services to their constituents.

The DSWD, under the leadership of Secretary Erwin T. Tulfo, will continue to improve its delivery of social welfare and development programs to alleviate the risks and vulnerabilities experienced by poor Filipinos amid the global inflation and pandemic.

The DSWD awaits the final approval of its budget allocation through the bicameral deliberation of both Houses of Congress. ###