Following the release of the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) new exemption on the poll spending ban for key government programs, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian reiterated that the agency remains open in accommodating people in crisis, whether they have referrals or none.

“Kahit may referral, kahit na walang referral, lahat ‘yan basta may pangangailangan, tutulungan,” the DSWD chief said during an interview with Ano Sa Palagay Nyo program in Net25 on Thursday (March 20).

Secretary Gatchalian assured the public that the agency’s social workers, who are licensed professionals, follow stringent measures to ensure that the DSWD’s programs and services will be free from political interference, especially during the election season.

“Gusto kong bigyan diin lang na ang mga social workers natin…sila ay may pinag-aralan talaga kung paano kilatisin ang pangangailangan ng isang tao. ‘Yan ang pinag-aralan nila eh, to look at the person, to understand the circumstances and the crisis and to do the necessary intervention,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.

“Kahit sulatan nila kami ng referral at sa mata ng social worker namin, kung ang nire-refer nila hindi naman kwalipikado at walang pangangailangan, hindi rin makakatanggap ‘yon,” the DSWD chief added.

Aside from providing social welfare assistance, Secretary Gatchalian emphasized that social workers also recommend interventions and conduct case management to prioritize the long-term development of clients and beneficiaries, veering away from the observations that poor Filipinos are increasingly becoming dependent on government cash assistance.

“Alam niyo ang mga social worker ‘di lang naman financial assistance at guarantee letter ang nirekomenda nila, minsan magrerekomenda sila ng psychosocial intervention, may mga psychologist kami sa Departamento, and case management…sa totoong buhay, mas marami pang nirekomenda ‘yong mga social worker namin na ibang non-monetary interventions,” Secretary Gatchalian said.