Over the years, budget allocations for social protection programs like the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), the Social Pension Program, and the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) have grown significantly. However, challenges remain in ensuring their efficient implementation and timely delivery to beneficiaries.
During the deliberations on the proposed FY 2025 budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), I raised pressing concerns about the limited plantilla positions and the credit limits for special disbursing officers, which have hindered program efficiency. Many implementers remain contractual employees, raising labor compliance concerns and affecting service delivery stability. Additionally, delays in the Social Pension Program have left over 622,000 indigent senior citizens waiting for their rightful benefits, while the SLP reached only a fraction of its target beneficiaries in the first half of the year.
I commend Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian for his innovative measures to address these issues. By outsourcing payouts through Land Bank, expediting account openings for beneficiaries, and streamlining processes, he has demonstrated a commitment to improving service delivery. These efforts, combined with increased funding, reflect a resolve to empower more families through the SLP, ensure timely pensions for senior citizens, and strengthen the delivery of vital social services.
Moving forward, we must continue exploring creative and sustainable solutions to ensure that no one is left behind.
