Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian said on Monday (March 24) that with the agency’s new digital initiatives, human interventions in key services are minimized, ensuring faster, more efficient, and accessible transactions for the public.
“Hindi mo na kailangan ng human intervention. Lahat yan, you just have to apply online, upload your requirements,” Secretary Gatchalian said in an interview over DZRJ 810 AM – Radyo Bandido’s Morning Report Pilipinas as he explained the DSWD’s latest digital initiatives — Minors Travelling Abroad (MTA) System; Harmonized Electronic License and Permit System (HELPS); and the Kaagapay Donations Portal.
The DSWD chief said the digitalization efforts are aligned with the agency’s commitment to improving service delivery and ensuring that social welfare programs remain responsive to the needs of Filipinos.
“Ngayon ay pinabilis natin, binawasan yung steps, requirements, and forms. Tapos online na lahat para di na kailangang pumunta sa aming mga tanggapan. You can just transact in the convenience of your home,” Secretary Gatchalian told DZRJ.
In the MTA System, which allows individuals to apply for travel clearance for minors traveling abroad without their parents, Secretary Gatchalian said part of the application process is a video conferencing with the traveling children, together with his/her parents, legal guardians, or travel companion.
“May human intervention in the sense na yung sa MTA authority may mag-iinterview, online rin, pero empleyado namin ‘yun,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.
Another major digital innovation is the HELPS, which provides DSWD clients with a streamlined online platform to access regulatory services anytime and anywhere.
Through the HELPS, social welfare and development agencies (SWDAs), non-government organizations, private entities, and people’s organizations can easily apply for and track their registration, license to operate, and accreditation (CRLA) and public solicitation permit, without the need for physical visits to DSWD offices, reducing the processing time and further improving efficiency.
Another significant development is the Kaagapay Donations Portal, an online platform designed to facilitate cash and in-kind donations directly to SWDAs and other organizations that have secured accreditation and public solicitation permits under the HELPS.
“Kung gusto nating mag-donate, diretso tayong magdo-donate sa kanila. All we have to look at is the portal na matatagpuan sa aming webpage,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
The Kaagapay Donations Portal also allows donors to contribute to the disaster relief operations of the DSWD and local government units (LGUs), and support the agency’s centers and residential care facilities (CRCFs). # (YADP)