No politics in serving public — DSWD
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development assured the public that its programs and services are insulated from politics and maintains the highest level of professionalism.
DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the DSWD is following guidelines and has verification system in the identification of beneficiaries as social workers conduct assessment on the ground.
Even the secretary of the DSWD is conducting analysis or assessment, Dumlao added.
“If there are politicians and local officials attending DSWD activities, we respect their oversight functions as legislators, pero ang ahensiya pa rin ang nag-implement,” she clarified.
The DSWD spokesperson was interviewed a day after agency officials led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian attended a Senate hearing and were asked on the reported “selective and delayed payout activities” under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
Dumlao said DSWD regional directors always coordinate with the concerned local government units (LGUs) during the implementation of social protection programs such as cash aid payout activities under the AICS.
“Our regional directors coordinate with local officials kasi nanghihiram tayo ng venue [we request for venue], we request for law enforcers to ensure the orderly conduct of payouts,” Dumlao pointed out.
The DSWD maintained there are no delayed cash aid distribution contrary to claims of delay in some areas in Mindanao.
Dumlao stressed that under the ECT, when an LGU declares a “state of calamity”, the DSWD will come in to distribute the additional relief assistance equivalent to 75 percent of the daily regional minimum wage rate multiplied by the number of days based on the assessment of the regional director or field workers.
She reiterated that the Department is continuously reviewing its guidelines to make it more responsive to the needs of its beneficiaries while emphasizing that program implementation will always be based on the provisions of these policies.
