Beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) observe social distancing as they withdraw their emergency subsidies at Landbank of the Philippines branch at Sta. Cruz, Occidental Mindoro.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that all Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries with cash cards have received their emergency subsidy under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) Bayanihan Fund: Tulong Laban sa COVID-19 today, April 5.

All 4Ps beneficiaries with cash cards in Regions I, II, III, IV-A, National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) received their emergency cash subsidy as early as Friday, April 3.

The 2^nd release was made yesterday, April 4 for Regions IV-B, V, VI, VII, and IX, and today, April 5, for Regions VIII, X, XI, XII, and CARAGA.

Out of the total 4Ps beneficiaries, more than 3.6 million with cash cards nationwide were provided with the subsidy with a total budget allocation of more than P16.3 billion.

For 4Ps beneficiaries who have yet to receive their cash cards, funds have been downloaded to the DSWD regional offices to facilitate the immediate payment of the said cash subsidy. The Department is working on the distribution arrangements with the local government units (LGUs) together with the City/ Municipal links who will coordinate with the beneficiaries for the scheduled release of their emergency cash subsidy.

The Department ensures that proper arrangements will be made during the release of the emergency subsidy and that social distancing and other health and safety protocols will be strictly observed during the withdrawal of the cash aid.

Under Republic Act (RA) No. 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One” Act, 18 million low-income households, including 4Ps household beneficiaries, are expected to receive emergency cash assistance to cushion the impact of the public health emergency due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). ###

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide social amelioration measures amounting to P5,000 to P8,000 for two months to families belonging to vulnerable sectors who have been affected by the community quarantine amid the COVID-19 crisis as mandated by Republic Act  (RA) 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.”

The Emergency Subsidy Program includes the DSWD’s provision of food and non-food items (FNFI) and financial assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) as well as those provided by other agencies, provided that the benefits received by each household does not exceed the prescribed threshold per region.

The P5,000 to P8,000 worth of social amelioration  programs is based on the maximum subsidy per region determined from the region’s minimum wage levels as these are close approximations to the amount  needed to buy basic food, medicine, and hygiene essentials. It will be given to an eligible family in cash and in kind by various national government agencies.

The provision of FNFI is part of the Department’s Technical Assistance and Resource  Augmentation (TARA) to local government units (LGUs) in addressing the food needs of their constituents. AICS, on the other hand, provides integrated services to individuals and families in crisis situation which include financial assistance to assist them with their basic needs.

Likewise, Livelihood Assistance Grants (LAG) will be provided to a beneficiary-family of the Department’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) with at least one member who is a worker in the informal sector and is displaced due to the declaration of the community quarantine. The family must be in the master list endorsed by the LGU to the DSWD Field Office (FO) and must still undergo assessment by a DSWD staff. The LAG will be given after the quarantine period has been lifted to help the families start anew.

LGUs will prepare the list of the target beneficiaries of the social amelioration measures and endorse this with the complete documentary requirements to the concerned DSWD FO for verification. A Social Amelioration Card (SAC) that captures the family profile  will be distributed to the LGUs to enable the beneficiaries to access the assistance. It will also serve as a monitoring tool to  avoid duplication of delivery of services. DSWD will also use the existing list of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program to validate the list submitted by LGUs.

Families under the 4Ps will also be supported with a top-up on their grants and rice subsidy to reach the maximum benefit per region. 4Ps beneficiaries are most vulnerable to economic, social and physical shocks such as this health crisis, thus, the need to augment  their existing grants to help them with their daily needs.

The social amelioration measures will help mitigate the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 health crisis and the enhanced community quarantine to the target beneficiaries, particularly the senior citizens, persons with disability, pregnant and lactating mothers, solo parents, overseas Filipinos in distress, indigent Indigenous Peoples, homeless citizens, and the informal economy workers.

The measures are contained in the Joint Memorandum Circular forged by DSWD, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Finance (DOF), and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

DSWD commits to strengthen its coordination with the LGUs to provide the delivery of maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo to the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged, while putting premium to the health and safety of its beneficiaries and personnel in this time of public health emergency. ###

“Taon-taon akong tinutulungan ng DSWD.”

-Clifford Fronda

Inalala ni Clifford Fronda, 36 taong gulang, ang taong 2012 kung kailan sana siya’y nakatakdang magtapos ng kolehiyo. Ngunit, ilang buwan bago siya makapag-martsa, nakatanggap siya ng hindi inaasahang balita, siya ay napag-alamang mayroong stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease.  

Pag-amin ni Fronda, 3rd year college noong nakararanas siya ng mga sintomas gaya ng pagtaas ng altapresyon at pag atake ng epilepsy o seizure. Nang ipasuri ito sa doktor, napag-alamang mataas ang kanyang creatinine content at nagsisimula nang humina ang kanyang kidney. Anim na buwan pa ang nakalipas bago nakapagpa-dialysis si Fronda dahil nanghingi pa sila pangalawang opinion sa National Kidney and Transplant Institute  sa Maynila, kung saan lumabas din ang parehong resulta.  

Kasama ni Fronda ang kanyang ina at dalawang kapatid. Ang kanyang ina ay isang tour guide at aminadong hindi sapat ang kinikita para sa pang dialysis ni Fronda.  Ayon sa doktor, panghabang buhay na gamutan para sa kalagayan niya. Bukod sa maintenance na nireseta ng doktor, nagbabakasakali siya na balang araw ay makakatanggap siya ng kidney transplant upang mapabuti ang kanyang kalagayan at tuluyan na itong gumaling. Ngunit hanggang ngayon, hinihintay pa rin nila ang tawag mula sa National Kidney Institute. Subalit, natuklasan nilang nasa ika-100 sa pila ang pangalan ni Fronda para sa  mga makatatanggap ng donasyon ng kidney.

“Wala pa akong idea na pwede palang humingi ng tulong sa DSWD para sa dialysis” ani niya.

Napag-alaman ni Fronda sa mga kapwa niyang pasyente na maaari siyang humingi ng tulong sa DSWD. Sa pamamagitan ng isang guarantee letter mula sa programang Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation o AICS, nabigyan ng tulong pinansyal si Fronda para sa kanyang pang-dialysis. 

Ang Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation ay isa sa mga programa ng DSWD na tumutulong maibsan ang kahirapan na nagbibigay ng agarang suporta sa mga nangangailangan ng tulong pinansyal para sa medikal na pangagailangan, transportasyon, pagkain, edukasyon, at burol. Sa tulong ng guarantee letter mula sa AICS ng DSWD, nabawasan ng 3,200 Piso ang buong bayarin ni Fronda sa pagpapa-dialysis. Ngayon, halos nasa 650 Piso na lamang ang kanyang binabayaran.

Ayon sa Revised guidelines on the Implementation of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, nakasaad sa probisyon ng tulong medikal na isang beses lamang sa kada tatlong buwan maaaring makakuha ng tulong pinansyal mula sa DSWD. Para kay Fronda, malaking tulong na ang makatanggap siya ng  tulong pinansyal mula sa DSWD. Dagdag ni Fronda, “Naka-ugalian na naming takbuhan (DSWD). Kasi ang Philhealth namin, yung 90 percent ay  nagagamit lang siya ng 9-10 months. Depende. Yung ibang member naman kapag naco-confine, hindi na umaabot sa Philhealth kaya tumatakbo kaagad sa DSWD.” 

Maliban sa DSWD, isa mga malaking tulong sa kaniyang pag-papagamot ay ang ang pagbuo ng samahan ng mga dialysis patients, ang MMG Dialysis group. Layunin nito ang mas mabigyan ng magandang serbisyo ang mga katulad niyang sumasailalim ng dialysis. Saad ni Fronda, pinangunahan niya ang pagbuo ng grupo dahil naawa siya sa ibang mga pasyente na walang kakayahan na magbayad ng pang dialysis. Dito, nagsasagawa sila ng mga meeting, Christmas parties, mga programa at pagtitipon. 

“Taon-taon akong tinutulungan ng DSWD.” Kaagapay na ni Fronda ang DSWD simula pa noong taong 2014.  Aminado siyang malaki ang naitulong ng DSWD sa kanyang pagpapagamot dahil bukod sa nabawasan ang gastusin ng kanyang pamilya, hindi na nila kinakailangan pang mag cash-out sa tuwing siya ay mag papa-dialysis. Hindi lamang si Fronda ang naabutan ng tulong ng DSWD, kundi maging ang iba pang mga miyembro ng MMG Dialysis group. “Masaya at natutuwa kami kasi syempre, ang pera hindi naman basta-basta yan.”

Saad ni Fronda, “Laban lang” dahil hangga’t nariyan ang DSWD, nabibigyang inspirasyon ang mga katulad ni niya na kumapit at patuloy na lumaban. 

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with local government units (LGUs), is set to provide family food packs and non-food items to families and individuals during the implementation of the community quarantine in Luzon due to COVID-19.

This is part of the DSWD’s Technical Assistance and Resource Augmentation (TARA) mandate to assist LGUs as they address the food and other basic requirements of their constituents in times of emergencies.

DSWD’s Field Offices (FOs) are now coordinating with LGUs in identifying target beneficiaries, distribution points, and strategies to be undertaken to ensure the smooth distribution of goods.

DSWD will also partner with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the hauling and delivery of the food packs and non-food items such as hygiene kits to LGUs.

The DSWD Central Office has a total of P1.3 billion Quick Response Fund (QRF), which can be replenished by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) once exhausted, to sustain the provision of food and other essential supplies to various communities.

Aside from food and non-food supplies, DSWD is now finalizing its guidelines for the provision of social amelioration services that would further benefit families and individuals affected by this health crisis.
The Department emphasized that it will continue to provide the delivery of maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo to the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged, while putting premium to the health and safety of its beneficiaries and personnel in this time of public health emergency. ###

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) clarified that beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will continue to receive their grants and rice subsidy through their cash cards amid enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, emphasizing that only 4Ps activities that require mass gathering are suspended.

DSWD also reiterated that program beneficiaries with Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EMV) cash cards may withdraw their grants on March 24, 26, 28, and April 4.  Cash grants credited through the EMV card may be withdrawn from any Land Bank of the Philippines Automated Teller Machines (LBP-ATMs) or any ATM subject to minimal charges.

Beneficiaries may also use their EMV cards in establishments that receive payment through point-of-sale or POS.

Meanwhile, the Department is exploring alternative means to distribute cash grants to beneficiaries who have yet to receive their EMV cash cards. 4Ps City and Municipal Links will cascade the announcement of release once finalized.

Other 4Ps activities that are temporarily suspended are the conduct of the monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS) and the assessment of household beneficiaries using the Social Welfare and Development Indicators, and over-the-counter payouts.

The Department has also waived the program conditionalities for the months of February and March following the signing of the resolution on Force Majeure. Under Rule VIII Section 15 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act (RA) 11310 or the 4Ps Act, the Secretary of DSWD may suspend the monitoring of compliance of beneficiaries to program conditionalities under “force majeure” circumstances. This means that beneficiaries will be receiving their full grants for the said period sans compliance to program conditions.

Amid this health emergency, the Department continues to look into different modes of providing social services without prejudice to public health and safety. ###

QUEZON CITY (March 16, 2020) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will temporarily suspend activities of some of its programs and services that require meeting or gathering of beneficiaries and other stakeholders until April 14.

The Department is temporarily suspending the payouts of Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens and Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT); Listahanan enumeration; activities of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) particularly the administration of Social Welfare and Development Indicator (SWDI), over-the-counter pay-outs and distribution of cash cards; activities in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Offsite Serbisyo, Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA), Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), and  Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS); and service delivery assessments.

The temporary suspension of the activities will minimize the exposure of beneficiaries, especially those from vulnerable groups such as children, persons with disabilities, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, and senior citizens, as well as DSWD employees, from the threats of COVID-19.

DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista though clarified that “social amelioration will not stop,” explaining that, “it is during these trying times that the Department shows its compassionate care to the poor, vulnerable and marginalized,” while recognizing, “that health is more valuable than anything else.”

Those needing medical and burial assistance, however, can still avail these through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), the DSWD said.  Even with the temporary suspension of some activities of certain programs and services, procedures on AICS are in place to ensure that clients receive their needed assistance.  Meanwhile, families who are affected by fire can still receive financial assistance or guarantee letters under the AICS, which will be given out in evacuation centers.

Secretary Bautista added that distribution of food and non-food items to clients will also continue through pre-determined channels. Local government units, as frontline in service delivery, will be provided with the necessary augmentation from the DSWD upon their request.

DSWD Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCFs) nationwide will also continue its operations, though visits from family members and other guests will be regulated, and proper social distancing will be implemented.

All Social Welfare Attaches shall remain in their diplomatic posts to continue assistance to distressed Overseas Filipinos (OFs).

Secretary Bautista also assured his colleagues in the DSWD that labor and workplace concerns are being addressed “as we refuse to compromise the safety of our personnel given the risks of COVID-19”.  “Government is now making arrangements so that workers affected by the community quarantine period will be remunerated, following existing regulations,” he stressed.

This, as he appealed to everyone “to remain calm and to fully cooperate,” reiterating that “makakaasa ang lahat na magpapatuloy ang maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo mula sa DSWD.”

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has issued its own guidelines in support to the directives of President Rodrigo Duterte to further control the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the country.

DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista signed on March 14 Department Advisory Number 1 titled, “Guidelines for the Prevention, Control, and Mitigation of the Spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the DSWD Offices, Attached and Supervised Agencies.” The advisory outlines the various steps to be taken by the Department to safeguard its workforce, internal, and external stakeholders, and to prevent the spread of the disease.

One of the actions to be undertaken is the temporary suspension of some of the Department’s programs and services that require meeting or gathering of beneficiaries and other stakeholders from March 15 to April 14. The President’s directive emphasized that all mass gatherings shall be suspended.

The Department is temporarily suspending the payouts of Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens and Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT); Listahanan enumeration; activities of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) particularly the administration of Social Welfare and Development Indicator (SWDI), over-the-counter pay-outs and distribution of cash cards; activities in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Offsite Serbisyo, Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA), Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), and  Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS); and service delivery assessments.

The Department emphasized that it is deeply concerned with the health of  the beneficiaries and its personnel that it decided to temporarily suspend the activities of certain programs and services. This step will minimize the exposure of beneficiaries, especially those from vulnerable groups such as children, persons with disabilities, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, and senior citizens, as well as DSWD employees from the threats of COVID-19.

The Department will assess the temporary suspension from time to time to ensure responsiveness of the policy to the evolving situation. This will be done to determine if the suspension of some program activities will have to be continued or otherwise.

Despite the suspension of some services, urgent medical and burial assistance can still be availed through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS). Clients may proceed to the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Team Offices in the different provinces nationwide where 30 beneficiaries daily will be accepted for processing, and at various DSWD Field Offices where 50 beneficiaries daily will be processed. The DSWD Central Office will also accept and process the request for assistance of 100 beneficiaries daily.  A guarantee letter will be given to the beneficiaries.

The Department strongly advises younger and healthier members of the family to be the ones to apply and bring the necessary requirements instead of the elderly family members so as not to further compromise their health and well-being.

Meanwhile, families who are affected by fire may still receive financial assistance or guarantee letters under the AICS which will be given out in evacuation centers.

In addition, distribution of food and non-food items will continue based on the guidelines of the Department. The DSWD will coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police for the hauling, and with the local government units (LGUs) for distribution to the residents. As frontline in service delivery, LGUs provide initial assistance to their constituents. The DSWD, in turn, augments the resources of the LGUs.

DSWD Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCFs) nationwide will also continue its operations, but visits from family members and other guests will be regulated, and proper social distancing will be implemented.

With regard to the provision of social protection services to distressed Overseas Filipinos (OFs), all Social Welfare Attaches will remain in their diplomatic posts in their assigned countries for continuity of DSWD assistance.

To safeguard its employees who will provide continuous public service amid the COVID-19 health emergency, the Department will ensure the safety and good health of its skeletal workforce, through the provision of protective equipment and frequent sanitation and disinfection of their work areas.

DSWD appeals to the public to remain calm and to fully cooperate with the government by adopting social distancing and maintaining proper hygiene and sanitation at all times.

The Department also guarantees that social amelioration will continue amidst the threat of COVID-19 to serve the poor, vulnerable and marginalized.

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Mr. Eugenio M. Caccam, Jr., CFI Executive Director; Ms. Purificacion R. Arriola, DSWD MIMAROPA OIC-Regional Director & Mr. Joel S. Mijares, DSWD MIMAROPA OIC Assistant Regional Director for Administration, sign the Budget Partnership Agreement between DSWD MIMAROPA and Culion Foundation Incorporated.

To enhance the quality of the budget process through citizen participation in the preparation of the Fiscal Year 2021 Regional Budget, the Department of Social Welfare and Development MIMAROPA signed a Budget Partnership Agreement with Culion Foundation Incorporated on March 9 in the Regional Office, Malate, Manila.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
Ms. Marla S. Urizza, CFI HR And Administrative Officer; Mr. Eugenio M. Caccam, Jr., CFI Executive Director; Ms. Purificacion R. Arriola, DSWD MIMAROPA OIC-Regional Director; & Mr. Joel S. Mijares, DSWD MIMAROPA OIC Assistant Regional Director for Administration.

Areas of engagement between the agency and the foundation are: Attendance and participation to the budget consultation activities of the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) with the traveling expenses shouldered by the Foundation while DSWD MIMAROPA shall shoulder the board and lodging; Kaagapay (Co-implementer) in anti-poverty and social protection projects and activities targeting a commonly agreed upon sector or geographical areas and results; Gabay (Mentor) in providing technical assistance in the conduct of feeding in Balala, Culion, Palawan Child Development Centers (Monitoring of food preparation and feeding to child development learners); and Tulay (Link) that will facilitate action, feedback and monitoring of a specific program and area of implementation using partner as facilitator/link between the DSWD MIMAROPA and its target sector subject to existing guidelines and policies of the said Department.