By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Department of Social Welfare-Region VI (DSWD-6) has been delivering services to the Western Visayas during disasters and calamities, pandemic, and even ordinary times.
But for the DSWD-6, delivery of financial assistance and other social services to low-income families and individuals in the region would have not been possible without the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
DSWD-6 Regional Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre and Assistant Regional Director Evangeline Felecio paid courtesy visits to the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) headquarters in Jamindan, Capiz, and the 301st Infantry Brigade in Dingle, Iloilo, last February 2 and 8, respectively.
Major General Eric Vinoya and Brigadier General Marion Sison, 3rd ID AND 301st IB commanders, respectively, welcomed the DSWD-6 executives.
“We appreciate the security and logistical support the AFP has given us in the delivery and distribution of DSWD’s different programs and services, especially during the SAP implementation,” Macapobre said.
The DSWD-6 regional chief added the AFP was instrumental in ensuring peace and safety during the actual distribution and handling of funds, especially in identified conflict-affected areas (CAA) and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA).
With the help of the AFP, the DSWD was able to safely distribute a total of PHP13-billion assistance for its beneficiaries in 2020. This is apart from the grants provided for the members of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and its implementation of Supplementary Feeding Program, Macapobre said.
Some P8.3 billion were distributed for 1.45 million SAP beneficiaries for the first tranche; and PHP2.3-billion for over 500K families for the second tranche.
The agency also served 365,908 indigent senior citizens with PHP2.2-billion worth of assistance through its Social Pension program.
The DSWD also provided relief assistance to 1.5 individuals amounting to PHP176-million.
In line with Executive Order No. 70 (EO 70) series of 2018 which seeks to institutionalize the Whole-of-Nation Approach, DSWD provided livelihood assistance grant (LAG) to 299 households in 13 areas with conflict-affected and vulnerable areas with PHP2.5-million worth of assistance.
Under its Yakap Bayan program, the DSWD-6 also provided PHP1.8-million livelihood grants to 161 PWUDs (persons who used drugs) in the region.
On top of that 614 rebel returnees were provided livelihood grants amounting to PHP30.7-million under the agency’s Kapatiran program.
In 2019, the DSWD and the AFP had signed a memorandum of understanding to improve and synchronize the government’s efforts to deliver SWD programs in areas affected by calamities and armed conflicts.
“Such MOU complements the government’s effort in institutionalizing the whole-of-nation’s approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace,” Macapobre said.
