DSWD Showcases Social Protection Programs for Poor in ‘Kilos Sambayanan” Campaign

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Sunday highlighted their social protection benefits that are being to the poor and marginalized sectors of society during the launching of “Kilos SAMBAYANAN” (Kilos Para sa Sampung Batayang Pangangailangan) held at Barangay 286 Delpan, Tondo, Manila.

“We provided here an information drive where we share to them the programs and services that they can avail in our offices,” said Undersecretary Malou Turalde.

Turalde said services rendered by the agency include educational, burial, medical and transportation services under their Assistance to Individuals under Crisis Situation (AICS).

She added that they also deployed social workers and staffs to explain about other programs of DSWD like Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps.)

Turalde said that the activity is also a way of getting to know “kamustahan” approach to the residents to share their views/feedbacks on what are the enhancement needed.

The social workers also explained to the residents where they can avail the services.

Residents in the National Capital Region (NCR) areas that are near Manila can proceed to the DSWD Legarda Office.

“We also make a close coordination with City Social Welfare Office in the City Hall. If these will not be given attention, these can then be responded by DSWD,” the Welfare Official said in an interview with the Philippines News Agency.

In her speech, she said that DSWD as an agency that caters to the poor and vulnerable sectors of society is guided by its core values of prompt and compassionate and corrupt free service to the people.

She said that at present the DSWD has PHP130 billion fund for its programs and services.

“So, atin pong gamitin yan sa pagseserbisyo sa ating mamamayan. Di lamang ang Pantawid Pamilya an gaming serbisyo abagamat ito ang napapatampok. Ang ibig sabihin may mga serbisyo ang kagawaran na di conditional. Ang kailangan lang po na tiyakin na ang ating requirements ay maipapakita,” she added.

Under the leaflets that were distributed in the caravan, those needing the services can also find out the requirements needed.

Some of the key requirements to avail transportation assistance are : Barangay certificate of Residency of Indigency with valid ID,; police blotter for victims of pickpocket, illegal recruitment.

For those availing burial benefits, they should present Funeral Certificate; Registered Certificate of Death and Certificate of Indigency/valid ID to support the claim for benefit.

On education assistance, the requirements are : enrolment Assessment Form/certificate of Enrolment or Registration; School ID and Barangay Certificate of residency/Indigency and valid ID

For those availing medical assistance, the resident may present clinical abstract, medical certificate signed by the attending physician with license number given in the alst three months; list of expenses including the prescription/laboratory requests and examinations that were undertaken; barangay certificate/certificate of indigency and valid ID.

Aside from that, the social workers also informed them that the current administration has Lingap sa Masa Medicine Access Program that are being provided initially in UP-PGH and in other areas of the country.

Lingap Sa Masa is one of the programs initiated by the government in a bid to fulfill President Rodrigo Duterte’s desire to give the poor more fighting chance against illnesses aside from the free PhilHealth Coverage to reduce the out of pocket expenses of the patients that are having difficulty in the cost of their medicine.

The Kilos Sambayanan is an advocacy campaign of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).

NAPC is an agency under the Office of the President tasked to coordinate, monitor, and exercise policy oversight of the anti-poverty programs of government and ensure meaningful representation and active participation of the basic sectors in governance.

Under the Kilos Sambayanan, the Basic Needs of the Filipinos that were emphasized aside from social protection are: food and land reform; water; shelter; health education’ work; healthy environment; peace and participation.

Meanwhile, in the launching other officials and representatives of other agencies from the different government agencies also shared their different contribution in bringing-out services that are align to the aims under Kilos Sambayanan which aims to enhance collaborations to ensure that the actions and programs complements each other so that the poor can be able to utilize the services for their benefits and empowerment.

Jolina Elago, a youth representing an organization in the area said that she was happy over the conduct of the activity.

“This has provided us an eye-opener of what are the services of the government,” Elago added.

Rosalla Pabilon who represented the women sectors in Delpan said that she was inspired on the programs behind Kilos Sambayanan.

“Sa malaking pag-unlad po ng sambayanan, ang malaking porsyento ay nagmumula sa mga nanay. Kung kami po ay malakas, kami ay empowered, kami po ay makakatulong sa aming mga sawa/partner upang sambahayan naming ay umngat ang kabuhayan nang sa gayun kung a ng bawat sambahayan ay maunlad at nasa maayos na level na pamumuhay makakasiguro po tayo ay di makakadranas ng pagdarahop,” Pabilon added.

She also so said that with the many services and program for them from different agencies, they are hopeful that many of the visions will all put in actions.

“Buong puso rin kami nagbibigay ng commitment na kami ay makikiisa,” she said. (Leilani S. Junio/PNA)