Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has told members of the House Committee on Appropriations that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has given a Php500 million fund allocation for setting-up of regional offices to oversee the reintegration of non-state armed groups and former rebels. “So, ang good news po namin, nakipag-usap kami sa DBM, at this budget season, binigyan po tayo ng allocation na Php500 million to jumpstart our regional program management office for the Inclusive Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns (ISPSC) cluster under Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay,” Secretary Gatchalian said during the August 21 […]

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to enhance its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) by expanding partnerships with other government agencies, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said during the agency’s budget hearing at the House of Representatives last Wednesday (August 21). “We do understand that not everyone is going to be an entrepreneur. It’s very hard to start a business so what we are doing is tapping on the expertise of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to be able to help us assess,” the DSWD chief said in reply to the question of Pangasinan Representative Christopher De […]

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has assured members of Congress that the agency will continue enhancing its programs and services and provide unhampered support to vulnerable individuals and families with the proposed Php229.7 billion funding for 2025 during the budget hearing last Wednesday (August 21). “We are continuously enhancing our systems to further improve program implementation and we expect more improvements as we revisit our business processes as a precursor to the systems re-engineering of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ecosystem,” Secretary Gatchalian reported to the House Committee on Appropriations. The DSWD is proposing […]

A senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reiterated on Wednesday (August 21) that the agency-issued Guarantee Letters (GLs) under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) are now being accepted by selected funeral parlors and memorial service providers across the country. “Individuals in crisis situations who need assistance for the burial expenses of their loved ones can request for a guarantee letter from the DSWD. We have partner funeral homes and memorial service providers that accept DSWD-issued GLs to render the services stated in the letter,” DSWD Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also […]

In Sta. Teresita town in Cagayan province, the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) is not only helping the townsfolk mitigate the effects of climate change but also in reviving ecotourism and local livelihood. Sta. Teresita is a town rich in resources for ecotourism and agriculture. However, due to the effects of climate change that causes extreme weather conditions, community members experience significant losses in their livelihood. “Project LAWA and BINHI is an initiative that provides an opportunity to strengthen the government’s […]

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian underscored the substantial improvement of the agency’s budget utilization rate during the House Committee on Appropriations’ deliberation of the DSWD’s 2025 proposed budget on Wednesday (August 21). “We did a comprehensive housekeeping by conducting a thorough review of our processes and implemented significant improvements. We are pleased to report that the DSWD has made substantial progress in financial management,” Secretary Gatchalian said in his opening presentation. Secretary Gatchalian told House solons that the DSWD’s obligation rate in July 2023 was only 39 percent, with a disbursement rate of 67 percent. […]

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) received praises and manifestations of support from members of Congress during the hearing on the agency’s 2025 budget at the House of Representatives on Wednesday (August 21). Vice Chairperson of the House Appropriations Committee Teodorico Haresco Jr. commended the DSWD chief and said it is the “golden years” of the agency under the leadership Secretary Rex Gatchalian. “Ngayon ko lang po narinig na nagpapalakpakan at madami ang congratulations. That shows the articulateness and intellectual vigor of Secretary Rex but with a heart. Hindi pa namin natatapos ang pagtanong, nakukuha mo agad in the […]

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured on Wednesday (August 21) his full support to the enactment of House Bill No. 10423 or the Universal Social Pension Bill during the deliberation of the agency’s 2025 proposed budget. “One, it’s  fair. We are fully supportive of it and it will certainly make our lives so much simpler. We are fully supportive and we understand that concept to make more people productive in a sense,” Secretary Gatchalian said when asked by Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo on the DSWD’s stand on the bill. The House Bill No. […]

Members of the House Committee on Appropriations commended the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday (August 21) for its fast and efficient response in disaster relief operations, particularly during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Carina. Several congressmen present in the deliberation of the DSWD’s 2025 proposed budget lauded Secretary Rex Gatchalian and some of the agency’s regional directors (RDs) for their swift action on their requests for family food packs (FFPs). “Thank you so much DSWD for being so responsive. Kami po ay nangangailangan, napakabilis ng pagresponde ninyo. Hindi lamang si Secretary kundi si RD , basta […]