DSWD, World Bank discuss ways to enhance Beneficiary FIRST Project

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the World Bank (WB) held a technical discussion on Thursday (June 1) focusing on how to further enhance the ongoing implementation of the Beneficiary FIRST Social Protection Project (BFIRST Project) at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.

During the wrap-up session attended by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and World Bank Country Director Ndiame Diop, the findings and agreements during the recently concluded Mid-Term Review (MTR) Mission of the project were addressed.

Among the crucial things discussed during the meeting were the DSWD’s efforts in digital transformation, standardization of the targeting system for social protection programs, and unification of the beneficiary database with PhilSys integration.

While the Project aims to increase the number of PhilSys-verified individuals listed in the unified beneficiary database, Secretary Gatchalian maintained there would be “no deprivation to beneficiaries who are not registered on PhilSys.”

World Bank Task Team Leader Dr. Yoonyoung Cho, who presented the summary of major findings, agreements and recommendations from the MTR Field Visit and Technical Discussion held on May 23 to 31 this year, commended the new DSWD leadership for its initiative to pursue the digital transformation of the Department.

Part of the key features of the BFIRST project is to achieve digital data governance and digital payments, including the transactional accounts for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps beneficiaries.

Secretary Gatchalian expressed his gratitude to the World Bank for its continued support of the fulfillment of the DSWD’s mandate to improve social protection delivery in the country.

“We are partners in trying to end the intergenerational poverty,” the DSWD chief said.

BFIRST is a joint project of the DSWD and the World Bank that aims to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on poor Filipino families and to strengthen the DSWD’s social protection delivery systems to become more adaptive and efficient. #

Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija tatanggap ng mahigit 13M mula sa DSWD Region 3

Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija – Pormal nang inilunsad ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sa pamamagitna ng Kapit Bisig Laban Sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), at ng Department of Health (DOH) ang Philippine Multi-sectoral Nutrition Program (PMNP) ngayong araw, June 6, 2023.

Nilagdaan ng DSWD Region 3, DOH at lokal na pamahalaan ng Cuyapo ang Memorandum of Agreement kasabay ang pagbibigay ng kaalaman tungkol sa PMNP.

Mahigit P13,515,000.00 ang grant allocation na ibibgay ng DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS PMNP habang P2,027,250.00 naman ang local counterpart contribution (cash o in kind) ng Lokal na pamahalaan.

Ang munisipyo ng Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija ang nag-iisang munisipyo sa Gitnang Luzon na napiling magimplementa ng KALAHI PMNP.

Dinaluhan ito ni DOH Regional Director Corazon I. Flores, MD, MPH, CESO IV, Cuyapo Municipal Mayor Hon. Florida P. Esteban, National Nutrition Council Regional Program Coordinator Ana Marie Rosaldo, at DSWD Promotive Services Division Division Chief Vilma. R. Serrano, RSW.

Nagpahayag naman ng suporta sa programa si Ms. Rosaldo, “Makakaasa po kayo na ang National Nutrition Council Region III ay magiging katuwang po ng DSWD, DOH, at ng Cuyapo na naisakatuparan ang lahat ng mga plano na nakapaloob sa PMNP Regional Work Plan.”

Nilalayon ng programang ang sama – samang pagtutulungan ng bawat isa upang maitaas ang antas ng nutrition at kalusugan ng mga kabataan, pamilya at komunidad sa Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng pag-implementa ng mga nutrition sensitive na mga programa at proyekto, pagkakaroon ng malinis na kapaligiran at pagapapalakas ng edukasyon sa nutrition at pagpapalawak ng access sa mga serbisyo sa pangangalagang nagkulusugan.

Nakatakdang simulan ang pagbuo ng Barangay Nutrition Council kada barangay ngayong buwan ng Hulyo upang maging katuwang sa pagiimplementa sa programa sa barangay. ###

DSWD reminds clients to avail AICS in satellite offices near their residences

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday (June 1) reminded its clients availing of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation AICS) to go the satellite offices that are nearest to their places of residence.

“Beginning today, June 1, AICS clients should go to the DSWD satellite office nearest their areas of residence as this will be more convenient and economical for them,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said.

AICS serves as a social safety net or a stop-gap mechanism to support the recovery of individuals and families from unexpected crises such as illness or death of a family member, natural and man-made disasters, and other crisis situations.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian ordered the establishment of AICS satellite processing areas in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide government assistance in the easiest and fastest way possible to those in need.

Asst. Secretary Lopez reiterated that clients residing in Northern Metro Manila, which covers the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela, should go to Camanava satellite office located at the Victory Trade Plaza in Monumento, Caloocan City.

Residents of the southern Metro Manila cities of Pasay, Parañaque, Muntinlupa and Las Piñas can request for their AICS at the Baclaran Satellite Office located at the Victory Food Market beside Baclaran Church, according to the DSWD spokesperson.

Residents in the municipalities of Norzagaray, Sta. Maria, Angat and the city of San Jose del Monte (SJDM) in Bulacan will be serviced by the SJDM Satellite Office situated at Starmall in Barangay Kaypian.

Those residing in the cities of Manila, San Juan, Mandaluyong and Makati can get their AICS at the DSWD NCR Regional Office along Legarda Street in Manila while those residing in Quezon City can go to the DSWD Central Office in Batasan Road.

Assistant Secretary for Community Engagement Uly Aguilar said the setting up of AICS satellite offices was primarily aimed at bringing DSWD’s various services and interventions closer to Metro Manila and Bulacan province residents.

“This initiative is one way of decongesting our existing AICS payout areas, and to deliver services under AICS directly to our clients from different parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces,” Asst. Secretary Aguilar said.

Asst. Secretary Aguilar said the DSWD will also soon open satellite offices in Pasig City and Rodriguez, Rizal to service those living in the Eastern part of Metro Manila and Rizal.

The Pasig satellite office aims to deliver various forms of assistance under the AICS program, directly to clients residing in the eastern Metro Manila cities of Pasig, Marikina, Taguig and the municipality of Pateros. #

DSWD Secretary assures public of sufficient relief goods for Typhoon ‘Betty’

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured the public on Monday (May 29) there are sufficient relief goods that were strategically prepositioned in different areas in the country in preparation for Typhoon Betty.

In an interview with Karen Davila of ANC’s Headstart earlier this morning, Secretary Gatchalian said the DSWD has prepositioned more than 800,000 family food packs (FFPs) in various warehouses nationwide that can be immediately tapped by local government units (LGUs) for distribution to affected citizens.

“[The goods] are prepositioned so that when the local government units called us for help, meaning, hindi na nila kaya because they are the first responders, national support will be there,” Secretary Gatchalian told ANC.

From the total number, more than 80,000 FFPs were prepositioned in Cagayan Valley Region; almost 50,000 FFPs in Ilocos Region, and more than 40,000 FFPs in Central Luzon. The three regions are likely to bear the brunt of Typhoon Betty.

“We prepositioned goods, not just because of the typhoon, but all year-long. That is what we have been doing,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.

Aside from relief goods, the Department is also continuously repacking FFPs in its disaster hubs and regional warehouses.

Members of DSWD Quick Response Teams are also on standby for on-the-ground monitoring of updates and coordination with LGUs.

The DSWD also reminded citizens to remain alert and heed the warnings of their local authorities to prevent any untoward incidents. #

KALAHI-CIDSS Region 3: Handa nang simulan ang Barangay Development Planning ngayong taon

Subic, Zambales – Bilang paghahanda sa Barangay Development Planning, pinangunahan ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 3 sa pamamagitan ng Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) katuwang ang Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 3, at ang Local Government Academy (LGA) nagsagawa ng limang araw na regional training of trainers para sa Barangay Development Planning.

Ang pagsasanay na ito ay sumaklaw sa lahat ng walong (8) munisipalidad mula sa Region 3 na kabilang sa National Community Driven Development Program (NCDDP) program na may 171 Barangay. Bahagi ito ng estratehiya para ma-institutionalize ang Community Driven Development sa lokal na pamahalaan.

Nilalayon ng aktibidad na bumuo at magsanay ng mga regional trainer na magiging responsable para sa pagsasagawa ng Municipal Roll-out ng Barangay Development Planning.

Ito’y dinaluhan ng mga kawani ng lokal na pamahalaan ng mga munisipyong parte ng programa ng KALAHI-CIDSS. Kabilang ang mga Municipal Local Government Operations Officer, Municipal Planning Officer, Municipal Budget Officer, at Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer.

Binigyan diin naman ni Assistant Regional Director For Administration Maribel M. Blanco, ang importansya ng pagkakaroon ng programang KALAHI-CIDSS sa pagpapaunlad at pagpapalakas sa mga komunidad, “Sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng oportunidad sa mga serbisyo at makilahok sa mga inklusibong lokal na pagpaplano, pagbabadyet, at pagpapatupad ng mga proyekto na mapapakinabangan ng kanilang komunidad.”

Inaasahang sisimulan ang pagsasanay sa barangay sa unang linggo ng Hulyo ngayong taon.

DSWD launches new, improved Sustainable Livelihood Program

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian (2nd from left), joined by (from left to right) SM Foundation Incorporated Executive Director Deborah Sy, Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, and SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, leads the ribbon cutting for the official launch of the new and improved Sustainable Livelihood Program on Friday, (May 26), at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian (right), accompanied by Assistant Secretary for Specialized Programs under Operations Group Florentino Y. Loyola Jr., unveils the new logo of the Sustainable Livelihood Program as part of the grand launch of its Five-year Livelihood Sustainability Plan.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched the new and improved Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) to ensure that its livelihood interventions are innovative and remain responsive to the needs of its participants.

During the grand launch of “Sibol: the New SLP” on Friday (May 26), at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian introduced to the public, partners and other stakeholders the integrated five-year livelihood sustainability plan of the program, that will further enhance its implementation to become more effective and relevant.

Sibol, as the new brand of the program, represents the step-by-step growth in the journey of SLP participants toward an improved well-being with equitable access to livelihood assets and resources.

“Like a plant, we grow with you. We make sure that we plant the seed, we nurture it, we water it, we watch it grow, and we watch it turn into something bigger than what it was. Iyon ang (That’s the) bottom line,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

The Secretary also mentioned that improvement in the guidelines of SLP implementation was made as part of the Department’s effort to empower its intended clients.

“We want to make sure that our development programs are not one-shot deals – that we provide the cash and we say goodbye. But rather, we want to make sure it is sustainable and that we partner, monitor and grow the economic enterprise with you,” the DSWD chief said.

The enhanced program aims to expedite the implementation process, rationalize cost parameters, and provide new training or capacity-building activities.

Achieving sustainable livelihood

Under the new framework, program participants will need a longer incubation period of five years, and will be provided with intensified capability-building activities and additional livelihood incentives.

SLP participants, during the first year of the program implementation (Punla), will be prepared and cultivated with the basic knowledge and skills in starting up their own micro-enterprise or in securing employment.

The next two years (Usbong and Sibol) will be focused on maintaining their livelihood become operational and able to secure positive gross sales and net income.

In year four (Yabong), program participants will be expected to prosper and bring their products to a wider and multi-faceted market.

“We want to ensure that we are your partner in growing that small business into a formal enterprise,” the Secretary pointed out.

The culminating phase (Ani) of the sustainability plan is the actual graduation of the participants, wherein they will be provided with a livelihood grant and incentive worth not more than Php 250,000 per association.

Strengthening program’s sustainability with partners

During his presentation, Secretary Gatchalian called for the support of the local government units (LGUs), private sector, partner agencies and other stakeholders in strengthening the sustainability of the new SLP.

“Hopefully, everybody will help us grow this vision together,” the DSWD secretary said.

The SM Foundation reaffirmed their 3-decade-long public-private partnership with the DSWD in promoting a sustainable livelihood for the poor and marginalized and providing a platform for small-scale business owners, such as SLP participants, to introduce their products to a wider market.

“We have worked hand in hand with you in mobilizing trade fairs and sustainable agriculture programs under Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan,” Mr. Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls said.

Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano also expressed support for the sustainable livelihood initiatives of the DSWD.

“Let’s transform the lives of the economically deprived and socially vulnerable,” the Pasay City Mayor said.

Various partners such as the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) were present to express support for the sustainability plan of SLP during the consignment ceremony.

Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations from different regions set up their booths at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall to showcase their local products during the grand launch of the Sibol Program.

Aside from the official launch of the new SLP, the event also provided a venue for the SLP Associations to introduce their products to a wider and multi-faceted market.

Program participants from Regions I-XII, National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Caraga Region, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) exhibited their products including hand-crafted bags, fans, hats, traditional costumes, furniture, local delicacies, spread and crops, among others.

Through the SLP bazaar, the brands and products of the program participants were made visible and known to the public.

The SLP continues to be the Department’s lead livelihood capability-building program for poor, vulnerable, and marginalized households and communities, that helps improve their socio-economic conditions through accessing and acquiring necessary assets to engage in and maintain thriving livelihoods. #

DSWD inks deal with SM Supermalls for more accessible social services

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian (right) and SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) expanding the SM Government Services Express to include the DSWD in 21 locations nationwide. The MOA signing was held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, Friday (May 26).

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sealed a partnership with SM Supermalls to make social welfare programs and services more accessible to its clientele nationwide.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and SM Supermalls President Steven Tan signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Friday, May 26, at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, allowing the Department to utilize the facilities of SM for its social protection initiatives and other activities.

“SM and DSWD have been partners for a long time. We share that same core value of empowering our citizens, especially the most vulnerable ones, in trying to fish for themselves,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

Through this MOA, the DSWD will be able to open satellite offices in SM Malls’ Government Service Express Centers in 21 SM branches across 15 regions in the country and the Department is authorized to use SM event places and spaces for free.

“Today we sign the Memorandum of Agreement with the DSWD that will expand our Government Services Express nationwide to make DSWD programs and services more accessible to Filipinos through satellite offices in our malls, starting with 21 locations,” Mr. Tan said.

The agreement will also provide a venue for the operations of DSWD, including prepositioning of goods for disaster response as well as facilitating clearances and issuances.

Aside from using its Business Centers, SM also agreed to allow the use of its designated areas within the vicinity of its malls for social marketing events and exhibits of the DSWD.

The DSWD, as provided under the MOA, will also be able to use the existing channels of SM for its information dissemination

The agreement for the free use SM facilities and platforms for DSWD’s operations will be in effect until July 2026.

The MOA between DSWD and SM provides a more accessible platform for realizing the DSWD’s mandate to bring its services closer to the poor and vulnerable. #

DSWD welcomes PBBM’s E.O. designating Secretary Gatchalian chair of Zero Hunger Task Force

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday (May 22) welcomed the designation of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian as chairperson of the re-organized Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued an executive order reorganizing the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger, as 2.7 million Filipino families continue to experience hunger during the first quarter of the year, according to the latest survey of the Social Weather Station.

The DSWD Secretary was designated as Head of the Zero Hunger Task Force following the issuance of Executive Order No. 27 series of 2023 on May 18, which recalibrated and reorganized the Task Force.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Executive Order 27 for the President amending E) 101 issued by the previous administration in January 2020.

Under the new EO, the President designated the secretary of the DSWD as the task force’s chairperson. The executive director of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and the secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) will serve as co-chairperson and vice chairperson, respectively.

Members of the recalibrated IATF on Zero Hunger include the Secretaries of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Chairperson of Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as well as a representative from the Office of the President (OP).

Addressing hunger and poverty

Since he assumed office on January 31 this year, DSWD Secretary Gatchalian has laid out programs and special projects to fight hunger and poverty in the Philippines, including the implementation of digital food stamps.

DSWD Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Romel M. Lopez pointed out that the program is aimed at insulating 1 million poor families who do not have access to nutritious foods.

“Sa halip na pipila kayo dati o mag-aabang ng relief goods although kahit naka-preposition na ‘yan, ngayon po bibigyan na natin ng laya iyong mga kababayan natin sa tulong ng food stamps. With the help of our partner merchandise at mga suppliers ay maaari na nilang kuhain doon sa mga ka-tie up natin na supermarket iyong kanilang mga pangangailangan. Food stamp na lang po ang kanilang dala-dala (Instead of lining up and waiting for relief goods, though these are already prepositioned, this program will provide freedom to its recipient to buy goods of their choice in our partner grocery stores and supermarkets. All they have to do is to bring their food stamp and use it to buy their basic necessities),” Asst. Secretary Lopez said.

The Food Stamp program was proposed by the DSWD to the President as one of the current Administration’s priority programs, which aims to address the hunger problem that many communities in the country are experiencing, the DSWD spokesperson noted.

“One of the things that is in the pipeline, that is being developed, that is going to be of great assistance to our people is a proposal by the DSWD for a food stamp program, which I am surprised that we have never had, but it is something that we can see that has been effective in other countries,” President Marcos had said in an interview.

To date, the Department is now in the thick of things to operationalize this initiative, according to Asst. Secretary Lopez.

“With his enthusiasm to address hunger and achieve food security in the country, Secretary Gatchalian will be able to lead the Task Force in ensuring that government policies, initiatives, and projects on attaining zero hunger are responsive and effective,” the DSWD spokesperson said. #