Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian gave emphasis on the development aspect of the agency as he discussed the various DSWD programs and services during the pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) PTV-4 interview with veteran broadcaster Mike Abe on Wednesday (July 17).

“Mayroon tayong social welfare—yan yung mabilisan na tulong, yung ayuda para maitawid natin ang ating mga kababayan mula sa krisis na kanilang pinagdadaanan; pangalawa, development—yan yung mga program na pangmatagalan para maiahon natin pang permanente ang ating mga kababayan mula sa kahirapan; pero wala sa pangalan namin pero nasa amin din ang disaster response, yung pagresponde sa mga sakuna,” the DSWD chief explained.

During the 1-hour interview, the DSWD chief  acknowledged the importance of a whole-of-government approach in achieving its mandate and in the successful implementation of the agency’s programs and services.

“Bakit tinawag na development? May kondisyon yung pagbigay ng ayuda. Kasi pag direct ayuda, social welfare yan. Pero ang 4Ps, ang layunin nito ay hindi lang mabali yung kahirapan per se but mabali yung kahirapan na nasasalin sa anak, intergenerational poverty,” the DSWD chief said referring to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the flagship anti-program of the government.

Secretary Gatchalian said the President directed the DSWD to intensify the whole-of-government approach in providing services and opportunities.

“Sabi ng Pangulo, gusto nyang matutukan ang mga pregnant o buntis, mga nagpapasuso na mga nanay hanggang two years old ng bata,”Secretary Gatchalian said.

Through the “First 1000-day grant”, the DSWD will provide additional cash grants for beneficiaries who are pregnant and nursing mothers to further improve the health and nutrition of their children during the critical first 1,000 days.

According to Secretary Gatchalian, the agency is working for the full-automation of the 4Ps system.

The DSWD chief said there are success stories that may indicate the contribution of the program in the improvement of the well-being of 4Ps beneficiaries.

“This August, we are looking at 300,000 na gagraduate mula sa programa. At itong programa na ito ay mayroong kwento ng tagumpay. Recently ay mayroong mg bar topnotchers na ang kanilang mga magulang ay naging 4Ps beneficiaries. Kung hindi dahil sa 4Ps ay baka hindi nila naabot yung antas nila,” the secretary said.

Another initiative of the DSWD is the Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program (FSP),

“In this program, nais nating wakasan ang kagutuman, nais nating turuan ang ating mga kababayan ng tamang pagkain, at pangatlo, dahil farm to table ito walang middle man na, diretso sila sa maliliit na tindahan na i-accredit natin sa mga lugar nila, natutulungan pa yung mga magsasaka,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.

The Walang Gutom 2027: FSP provides beneficiaries with access to monetary-based assistance and nutrition education to teach them how to prepare healthy and safe meals for the family. It also invites them to become productive citizens through skills training and participation in government-organized job fairs.

Social Welfare

“Alam natin na sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, may mga pamilyang Pilipino na pinagdadaanang krisis—sakit, kamatayan sa pamilya, temporary displacement from job—dyan papasok ang social welfare,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

Under this category, the DSWD implements Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

“Araw-araw, libo-libong mga tao ang pumupunta sa aming mga opisina para humingi ng tulong pinansyal pangbayad ng medical , burial assistance, food assistance, transportation assistance,” Secretary Gatchalian explained.

The DSWD said the AICS program is well-funded but the agency hopes for an increase in budget to cater to more clients undergoing crisis.

“Last year, nabigyan ito ng sapat ng pondo at this year naniniwala kami na mas malaki pa dahil alam nyo ang ating Pangulo ay may soft spot pag dating sa DSWD… Ito ang maituturing na puso ng gobyerno at well-funded in the sense na lagi naman kaming nasa top five na departamento pagdating sa binibigyan ng pondo at ang social protection o proteksyon sa mga bulnerable, mahihirap, at marginalized, top of the list yan ng ating Pangulo,” the DSWD chief said.

To expand the services and benefits under the DSWD’s AICS, the DSWD partnered with service providers such as hospitals, medical centers, dialysis centers, diagnostic clinics, pharmaceutical companies, medical devices/implants companies and funeral parlors.

The DSWD also runs centers and residential care facilities (CRCF) to provide better care and welfare services to the members of the vulnerable sectors.

“Iba-iba yan. Mayroong para sa may kapansan, sa batang naabuso, sa Persons with Disability na may training center para dahil gusto nating ma-empower sila. Itong mga programa at tahanan na ito ay talagang nandyan yan para masigurado namin na yung mandate namin to protect the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

The DSWD chief added: “When we say protect, hindi lang yung kukunin mo dahil naabuso kung hindi ay bibigyan mo ng sapat na kapasidad para ma-reintegrate back sa kanilang komunidad sa pamamagitan ng mga training kaya ka-partner namin dyan ang Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) at ang Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).”

The Secretary also talked about the Oplan Pag-Abot, which aims to reach out to families, children, and individuals in street situations and provide them with necessary interventions such as, but not limited to, medical help, food aid, transportation and relocation assistance, livelihood opportunities, transitory family support packages, and emergency financial and transitory shelter assistance, among others.#