Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian  on Tuesday (May 21) leads the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) for the pilot implementation of the hybrid-digital payouts of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

Signatories to the MOA were LBP President Lynette Ortiz and Vice President Atty. Nikolas Tolentino, and DSWD Undersecretary for Operations Group Monina Josefina Romualdez.

The MOA stipulates the duties and responsibilities of the involved parties in the creation of a hybrid digital payout system that will guarantee the swift, secure and efficient provision of financial assistance to AICS beneficiaries. The pilot implementation of the program will be rolled out in Regions II (Cagayan), III (Central Luzon), IV-A (CALABARZON), and in the National Capital Region (NCR).

DSWD officials present during the signing ceremony at the DSWD Central Office were Undersecretary for General Administration and Support Services Group (GASGG) Edward Justine Orden, Regional Directors of the pilot sites, and members of the DSWD Central Office management committee.

The AICS is one of the social welfare services of the DSWD that provides medical, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial assistance to individuals who are in crisis as assessed by social workers.  #

 Sa makasaysayang araw na ito, inilunsad ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ang Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), isang malawakang inisyatiba na naglalayong magbigay tulong sa mga pamilyang mababa ang kita sa buong Gitnang Luzon. Sabay-sabay na isinagawa ang programa sa pitong lalawigan ng rehiyon, kabilang ang Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, at Zambales.

Tinukoy ng DSWD na aabot sa 25,787 indibidwal mula sa sektor ng mababa ang kita ang natulungan mula sa nasabing paglulunsad. Ayon kay DSWD Regional Director Venus F. Rebuldela, ang programang ito ay isang mahalagang hakbang upang mapagaan ang pasanin ng mga pamilyang nangangailangan sa gitna ng patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin at iba pang pangangailangan sa araw-araw.

“Layunin ng AKAP na magbigay ng agaran at konkretong tulong sa ating mga kababayan na lubos na nangangailangan. Naniniwala kami na sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, makakabawas tayo sa kanilang mga alalahanin at makakatulong tayo na maiangat ang kanilang kalagayan,” pahayag ni Director Rebuldela sa isang press conference.

Patuloy na nananawagan ang DSWD sa publiko na suportahan ang kanilang mga programa at proyekto upang mas marami pang mga Pilipino ang maabot at matulungan. Nakipagtulungan din ang ahensya sa iba’t ibang lokal na pamahalaan upang matiyak na magiging maayos at sistematiko ang pamamahagi ng ayuda.

Sa mga darating na linggo, asahan na mas magiging madalas ang mga ganitong inisyatiba upang masigurong walang sambahayang  maiiwan sa layunin ng DSWD na maghatid ng malasakit at kalinga sa bawat Pilipino.

In line with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s commitment to deliver Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo, the department aims to ease the burden of Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens beneficiaries during payouts.

This year, the program beneficiaries will receive their monthly stipend with a 100% increase from Php 500 to Php 1,000. This is in line with Republic Act No. 11916 or An Act Increasing the Social Pension of Indigent Senior Citizens that lapsed into law in July 2022 which will be given every semester amounting to Php 6,000. 

To further enhance the process of distributing the stipend to indigent senior citizens,  98% of the  Local Government Units (LGUs) in Central Luzon had opted for the Transfer of Funds (TOF) scheme of payouts. With this payment scheme, they have more time to conduct the payouts which will result in having little to no number of unpaid beneficiaries.

The DSWD Field Office 3 – Central Luzon led by Regional Director Venus F. Rebuldela personally awarded the checks to the representatives of the Local Government Units of San Luis, Dingalan, Dilasag, at Dipaculao from the Province of Aurora. They are amongst the LGUs who were able to complete the necessary documents for the Transfer of Funds payment scheme promoted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The DSWD Field Office 3 – Central Luzon is in full support of the launching of the Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens 2023-2028 (PPASC 2023-2028), which seeks to address the evolving needs and challenges faced by the country’s elderly population.###

In line with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s commitment to deliver Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo, the department aims to ease the burden of Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens beneficiaries during payouts.

This year, the program beneficiaries will receive their monthly stipend with a 100% increase from Php 500 to Php 1,000. This is in line with Republic Act No. 11916 or An Act Increasing the Social Pension of Indigent Senior Citizens that lapsed into law in July 2022 which will be given every semester amounting to Php 6,000. 

To further enhance the process of distributing the stipend to indigent senior citizens,  98% of the  Local Government Units (LGUs) in Central Luzon had opted for the Transfer of Funds (TOF) scheme of payouts. With this payment scheme, they have more time to conduct the payouts which will result in having little to no number of unpaid beneficiaries.

Yesterday, May 8, 2024, representatives from the Local Government Units of Bamban, Sta. Ignacia, Concepcion, San Clemente, and La Paz from the Province of Tarlac were awarded the checks for TOF. They are amongst the LGUs who were able to complete the necessary documents for the Transfer of Funds payment scheme promoted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The DSWD Field Office 3 – Central Luzon is in full support of the launching of the Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens 2023-2028 (PPASC 2023-2028), which seeks to address the evolving needs and challenges faced by the country’s elderly population.###

Pormal ng naiturnover ang 28 na Subprojects ng Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 3 – Central Luzon sa pamamagitan ng Kapit Bisig Laban Sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) sa Munisipyo ng Talugtug, Nueva Ecija.

Ilan sa mga proyekto na ito ay ang Construction of Drainage Canal, Construction of Barangay Road, Construction of Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert, Improvement of Drainage Canal, Extension of Water Supply Distribution Pipe, Improvement of Day Care Center with Amenities, Construction of Access Road, and Construction of Slope Protection.

Sa ngalan ni Regional Director Venus F. Rebuldela, dinaluhan ito ni Assistant Regional Director for Operations Armont C. Pecina, kasama ang Division Chief ng Promotive Services Division Melanie M. Barnachea at iba pang kawani ng ahensya katuwang ang lokal na Pamahalaan ng Talugtug sa pangunguna ni Municipal Mayor Pacifico Monta, at ang mga BLGU Officials and Community Volunteers.

Nahighlight sa aktibidad ang pagpapakita ng mga sub-projects at ng implementasyon nito sa pamamagitan ng mga litrato, pagtanggap ng mga certificate ng pagsuporta at pagkilala ng mga barangay, at mensahe ng pasasalamat ng mga community volunteers at BLGU Officials.

Patuloy ang programa sa paghahatid ng higit na serbisyo at bigyang pagkakataon ang mga komunidad na magdesisyon, magplano, at magbigay priyoridad ng mga problema sa barangay na patunay sa pagkakaroon ng pagbabago at kaunlaran sa kanilang mga komunidad.

#

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has tied up with the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) for the establishment of the country’s first-ever agricamp in Pampanga that will be an important part of the rehabilitation process of children in conflict with the law (CICL).

“The implementation of the agricultural camp titled Sowing Seeds of Hope Through Sustainable Farming will benefit children in conflict with the law here in the region, and probably throughout the Philippines, if they will be admitted and committed to the agricultural camp here,” DSWD Undersecretary for International Affairs, Attached and Supervised Agencies Emmeline Aglipay- Villar, who represented Secretary Rex Gatchalian, said during the project’s agreement signing on Wednesday (April 24) at the Haven for Girls in Magalang town.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Undersecretary Villar, BuCor Director General Gregorio P. Catapang Jr., and PSAU President Dr. Anita G. David.

“Since the passage of the Juvenile Justice Welfare (JJW) Act, 18 years ago, there still has not been any, not a single one, agricultural camp in the country,” Undersecretary Villar pointed out.

According to the DSWD official, the JJW Act states that  children in conflict with the law may be sheltered in an agricultural camp or other training facilities “in order for the child to be properly rehabilitated and then reintegrated into society after”.

“It is really such a joy for me to finally make this first step to develop the program for the agricultural camp. All of this is for the children because the children are our most valuable resource and they are our hope for the future,” Undersecretary Villar explained.

As proposed by Secretary Gatchalian, the agricamp will offer vocational training and hands-on work experience for CILC along sustainable food production while they are preparing for reintegration into their respective communities.

Undersecretary Villar said the Pampanga agricamp will offer another lease on life for children in conflict with the law by introducing them to sustainable agriculture.

“The children are the most vulnerable, and more so those who are in conflict with the law, who are victims themselves, victims of their circumstance, victims of abuse, exploitation, who in turn, turn to these acts because of their situation. And this is such a fitting project for them,” the DSWD official   stressed.

The agricamp aims to achieve a multifaceted impact, encompassing both sustainable agriculture and positive rehabilitation outcomes, for children in conflict with the law.

The 5,000 square meter agricamp in the vicinity of PSAU will be established with areas for vegetable, orchard and animal production. It will also have a verma-composting area, modern greenhouse system, irrigation system, barnyard, ornamental garden and learning center.

Witnessing the MOU signing were Magalang Municipal Mayor Maria Lourdes Lacson; DSWD Asst. Secretary Elaine Fallarcuna; DSWD Field Office-3 (Central Luzon) Regional Director Venus Rebuldela; Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) Executive Director Atty. Tricia Clare A. Oco; and PSAU Vice-President for Research, Innovation, Extension and Training Dr. Geraldine Sanchez.

DSWD Administrative Service Director Karina Antonette A. Agudo and DSWD – Central Luzon Assistant Regional Director for Administration Maribel M. Blanco also attended the signing ceremony. #

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Pampanga Provincial Government inaugurate on Wednesday (April 24) the new location of the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) office in San Fernando City.

DSWD Undersecretary for International Affairs, Attached and Supervised Agencies (ASA) Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, DSWD Field Office-3 (Central Luzon) Regional Director Venus Rebuldela, Pampanga Provincial Governor Dennis Pineda and Vice Governor Lilia Pineda led the ribbon cutting and signing of agreement.

The new SWAD Office – Pampanga is at the back of the Provincial Capitol in San Fernando City and will bring DSWD programs and services closer to Kapampangans.

The space was offered by the Office of the Provincial Governor to the DSWD for free use.

Also present during the inauguration were Board Members Fritzie David-Dizon and Cherry D. Manalo as well as former Board Member Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab.

DSWD Asst. Secretary Elaine F. Fallarcuna and Asst. Regional Director for Administration (ARDA) Maribel M. Blanco also attended the event.  #

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will soon build a regional complex on a 5-hectare land in Magalang, Pampanga donated by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

“Today marks a significant milestone for the DSWD, particularly in our commitment to providing holistic care and rehabilitation for our youth,” Undersecretary for General Administration and Support Services Group (GASSG) Edward Justine Orden said during the signing of Deed of Land Transfer between the DSWD and DAR on Wednesday (April 24) at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY).

Undersecretary Orden and DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Office Rowena Niña Taduran signed the Deed of Transfer which marked the official turnover of the land currently occupied by the RRCY.

“This transfer of ownership not only ensures the legality and security of the DSWD facility but also symbolizes our enduring dedication to deliver our mandate of protecting the most vulnerable,” Undersecretary Orden official pointed out.

The Deed of Transfer, according to Undersecretary Orden, will allow the agency to offer more services to marginalized and disadvantaged sectors through its planned Welfare Ville in the region.

“As we witness the formal signing and turnover of the Deed of Transfer from the DAR to the DSWD, we reaffirm our commitment to the well-being of our nation’s youth,” Undersecretary Orden emphasized.

As approved by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, other facilities such as the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC), Lingap Center, Trafficking in Persons’ Processing Center, and a DSWD satellite warehouse will also be built in the area.

“We, at the DSWD, commit to continuously provide a nurturing out-of-home placement for children in need of assistance to enhance their psychological, emotional, and psycho-social well-being,” Undersecretary Orden said.

Aside from the turnover of land, the RRCY also officially inaugurated its infirmary and therapy room through a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The RRCY is a rehabilitation facility run by DSWD Central Luzon for over 44 years, providing care and rehabilitation services to male children in conflict with the law who are below 18 years old.

Joining Undersecretary Orden during the signing were DSWD Undersecretary for International Affairs, Attached and Supervised Agencies (ASA) Emmeline Aglipay-Villar,  Asst. Secretary Elaine F. Fallarcuna, and Administrative Service Director Karina Antonette A. Agudo.

DSWD Field Office-3 (Central Luzon) Regional Director Venus Rebuldela, Asst. Regional Director for Administration (ARDA) Maribel M. Blanco and Asst. Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Armont  C. Pecina were also present at the event.

Other government officials present in the turnover ceremony were DAR- Bureau of Land Acquisition Engr. Domingo Roque and DAR Region-3 – Land Tenure Service Head Marissa Nagun. #