DSWD thanks international partners anew for new batch of donations for quake-hit victims
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Standards Bureau, recently conducted a four-day consultation workshop to gather comments and recommendations on the draft guidelines on the registration of Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs), and on public solicitation.
The consolidated comments and recommendations will be used to finalize the two proposed bills to be lobbied at the Congress namely: (1) SWDA Bill or An Act Establishing a Comprehensive System for the Registration and Licensing of Social Welfare and Development Agencies and Accreditation of Social Welfare and Development Programs and Services, and Appropriating Funds Thereof, and (2) Public Solicitation Bill or An Act Regulating Public Solicitations and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof.
The draft SWDA Bill aims to strengthen the DSWD functions on regulations by establishing a comprehensive system for the registration and licensing of SWDAs and accreditation of social welfare and development programs and services. It also seeks to ensure that social welfare and development programs and services in the public and private sectors comply with the national policies and standards while adhering to the principles of human rights.
Meanwhile, the draft Public Solicitation Bill will ensure that even at the level of the local government unit, the conduct of fund-raising activity is regulated and the accumulated funds will be given to the intended beneficiaries.
The workshop paved the way for the SWDAs to meet and collaborate to have a unified ground in establishing these regulatory policies. It also served as the voice of our stakeholders to share their suggestions and recommendations to ensure good and quality services to our beneficiaries.
Present in the workshop were representatives from Field Office I-V, CAR and NCR’s Standards Section, (Area-Based Standards Network) ABSNet representatives, and Standards Bureau’s technical staff. ### https://www.dswd.gov.ph/dswd-drafts-guidelines-to-strengthen-regulatory-policies-on-social-welfare-services/
DSWD welcomes approval of P4.1B allotment for TCT implementation
Following the announcement of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on the approval of the P4.1 Billion fund for the implementation of the Targeted Cash Transfer (TCT), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) says it will immediately facilitate the release of the 2nd batch of the cash transfers once the Department receives the funds.
The DSWD added that the special allotment of P4,133,932,538 is a welcome development and is expected to be a significant help to the TCT beneficiaries who are most affected by the increasing fuel prices and the resulting inflation of basic commodities.
As mentioned by the DBM, the said special allotment will cover the distribution of the cash assistance to about four million families. In June, DSWD started the implementation of the TCT program and facilitated the release of the first batch of cash transfers to nearly 6 million beneficiaries.
The Department also expresses its appreciation to the TCT Inter-Agency Committee, including the DOF, DBM and NEDA, for prioritizing the allocation of funds to continue the TCT implementation.
Aside from preparing for the second batch of payouts, the DSWD is also currently initiating the identification and validation of additional 2.4 million TCT beneficiaries through its Listahanan poverty database. ### https://www.dswd.gov.ph/dswd-welcomes-approval-of-p4-1b-allotment-for-tct-implementation/
DSWD hopes to bring impact on indigent elderly with increased social pension
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is hopeful that the law increasing the social pension for indigent senior citizens will bring about a significant impact on the lives of its beneficiaries.
Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11916, which lapsed into law last July 30, the monthly pension of qualified senior citizens under the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens program of the government will become Php1,000 from Php500.
The social pension is given to any elderly, aged 60 years old and above, who is frail, sickly, or with a disability, and without a pension or permanent source of income, compensation, or financial assistance from his or her relatives to support his or her basic needs.
In a statement, Secretary Erwin T. Tulfo expressed his gratitude to the lawmakers for walking the extra mile to increase the pension of the indigent elderlies.
While the DSWD lauds the initiative of passing this measure, it also appeals to the legislators from both houses to prioritize the appropriation of funds for the program in order to effectively implement the provisions of RA No. 11916, hence, avoiding the said law to end up as an unfunded mandate.
“Aayusin na ng DSWD ang Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) at ihihingi ng additional funding sa kongreso ang nasabing umento,” the Secretary said.
The Department also commits to consult and work closely with its other stakeholders, particularly the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), to enhance the implementing guidelines of the program.
Through this legislation, the Department assures the elderly sector of continued support from the government to cover their daily subsistence as well as medical needs. ### https://www.dswd.gov.ph/dswd-hopes-to-bring-impact-on-indigent-elderly-with-increased-social-pension/