Senator Loren Legarda praised the DSWD for partnering with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to facilitate the distribution of cash assistance to program beneficiaries in all the agency’s regional offices.

“I think that is a good innovation of the good secretary and I hope we see that this will happen in the next few months. We can see that in the next few weeks lalo, lalo na magpapasko na maraming nangangailangan, at tsaka ang daming bagyo na sunod-sunod,” Senator Legarda said.

In the partnership piloted in Region 3 (Central Luzon) and the CALABARZON Region, social workers from the DSWD will handle validation and intake, while the LBP will be responsible for cashiering.

Senator Imee Marcos, who sponsored the DSWD budget, pointed out that the payout system was established due to a lack of personnel and vehicles at certain DSWD Field Offices. Senator Marcos said this shortage places staff members transporting cash  to payout locations at significant risk.

At the same time, Senator Legarda commended the DSWD and its staff for implementing the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, describing it as “incredibly beneficial.”

“I want to commend the DSWD. The people are really hardworking, there is zero corruption for as long as I know, and for those where I attend, I can see there are payout masters,” Senator Legarda said.

Before concluding her interpellation, Senator Legarda thanked Secretary Gatchalian and the agency’s personnel for exemplifying public service.

“I would like to thank Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who is just always a half a call away—he answers the call right away, and if he misses it, he’s on a flight, he will text and call you back,” Senator Legarda said.

“That’s the epitome of a public servant. So, thank you also to all in DSWD, especially the CALABAZON and Western Visayas and everybody in the regions,” the senator added.

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III also commended the agency and its personnel for their hard work and for working with care and compassion.

“Ito namang DSWD, alam namin kung gaano sila kasipag, gaano ka trustworthy. Nakita ko si Secretary in action sa Marikina, nagkita po kami. Kahit yung mga job order ninyo talagang may malasakit talaga kasi they are not from the areas where they report for work and they spent the whole day there and they were handling hundreds of thousands per head,” Senator Pimentel said.

Before making a motion to submit the proposed budget of the DSWD and its attached agencies for consideration, Senator Joseph Victor Gomez Ejercito stated that  Secretary Gatchalian is capable of leading the DSWD.

“I know that the DSWD family is in good hands under Secretary Rex Gatchalian. The Gatchalian brothers are really good. They never cease to amaze us in what they do,” Senator Ejercito said.

Senators Joel Villanueva, Risa Hontiveros, and Christopher Go also gave their full support to the agency’s 2025 budget. # (YADP)

DSWD pinuri ng mga senador sa budget hearing

Umani ng papuri at paghanga ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sa pamumuno ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian mula sa mga senador sa ginanap na pagdinig kaugnay ng proposed 2025 budget ng ahensya nitong Martes (November 19).

Partikular sa nagpahayag ng papuri si Senator Loren Legarda kung saan ikinagalak nito ang ginawang pag-partner ng DSWD sa Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) upang mas mapabilis ang pamamahagi ng cash assistance sa mga program beneficiaries ng ahensya sa mga field offices nito.

“I think that is a good innovation of the good secretary and I hope we see that this will happen in the next few months. We can see that in the next few weeks lalo, lalo na magpapasko na maraming nangangailangan, at tsaka ang daming bagyo na sunod-sunod,” sabi ng Senadora.

Ang pakikipagtulungan ng DSWD at LBP ay sinimulan sa Region 3 (Central Luzon) at CALABARZON Region, kung saan ang mga social workers mula sa DSWD ang magsasagawa ng validation at pamamahagi ng assistance habang ang LBP naman ang responsible sa cashiering.

Ayon kay Senator Imee Marcos,na siyang nag-sponsor ng DSWD budget, nagkaroon ng pagbabago sa payout system dahilan na rin sa kakulangan ng personnel at sasakyan na gagamitin para sa pag-trasport ng cash patungong payout locations, bukod pa ang nakaambang panganib sa mga empleyado.

Kasabay nito, pinapurihan din ni Senator Legarda ang lahat ng mga empleyado ng DSWD sa maayos na pagganap ng mga ito sa kanilang tungkulin partikular na sa implementasyon ng Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

“I want to commend the DSWD. The people are really hardworking, there is zero corruption for as long as I know, and for those where I attend, I can see there are payout masters,” sabi pa ni Senator Legarda.

Dagdag pa niya, “I would like to thank Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who is just always a half a call away—he answers the call right away, and if he misses it, he’s on a flight, he will text and call you back.”

Sad pa ni Senator Legarda, “That’s the epitome of a public service. So, thank you also to all in DSWD, especially the CALABAZON and Western Visayas and everybody in the regions.”

Gayundin, nagpahayag din ng paghanga si Senator Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel III sa pamunuan ng DSWD dahil sa kasipagan at pagiging masigasig ng mga ito sa pagbibigay ng tulong at malasakit sa mga nangangailangan.

“Ito namang DSWD, alam namin kung gaano sila kasipag, gaano ka trustworthy. Nakita ko si Secretary in action sa Marikina, nagkita po kami. Kahit yung mga job order ninyo talagang may malasakit talaga kasi they are not from the areas where they report for work and they spent the whole day there and they were handling hundreds of thousands per head,” sabi ni Senator Pimentel.

Samantala, bago naman magbigay ng kanyang mosyon upang isumite ang proposed budget ng DSWD sinabi ni Senator Joseph Victor Gomez Ejercito na tunay na may kakayahan si Secretary Gatchalian na pamunuan ang ahensya .

“I know that the DSWD family is in good hands under Secretary Rex Gathcalian. The Gatchalian brothers are really good. They never cease to amaze us in what they do,” sabi ni Senator Ejercito.

Ang DSWD at attached and supervised agencies nito ay may proposed budget na Php 229.7 billion para sa taong 2025.# (MVC)