DSWD to expand assistance provided to Filipinos
DSWD to expand assistance provided to Filipinos
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00:00 There is no rest in the DSWD's mission to come to the aid of the poor, indigent and
00:06 marginalized, especially when calamity or misfortune strikes.
00:10 And the aid agency continues to expand its services and assistance thanks to an increase
00:16 in budget allocation this year.
00:18 Then again, the DSWD is not purely a major source for handouts given its four-piece program
00:24 which invests in the health and education of its poor beneficiaries as our Kenneth Pacenta
00:29 reports on the occasion of the agency's 73rd founding anniversary.
00:37 The government will not stop responding to the needs of the poor Filipinos.
00:42 This is what President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. emphasized in his attendance at the 73-year
00:47 anniversary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
00:50 The president reiterated that under the current administration, the agency will further expand
00:55 its assistance beyond merely disaster response or calamity aid.
01:00 What DSWD offers goes beyond just easing the pain of victims of misfortune.
01:07 It ends at the roots of the vulnerability of those most in need of our society.
01:15 [FOREIGN]
01:25 >> [FOREIGN]
01:35 >> [FOREIGN]
01:45 >> Because more than palliatives, the country's poor and deprived deserve permanent relief
02:02 from conditions that chain them to misery.
02:05 It is not enough that we come in when they're time of need, when they have suffered a disaster.
02:11 >> The president also pointed out that government will not neglect or abandon those in need.
02:16 But it doesn't mean they encourage or foster total reliance or dependence on government.
02:21 Instead, the administration will also help them find a job.
02:25 >> [FOREIGN]
02:52 >> Which helps them tide over, to help them get back on their feet and not consigning
02:58 them to a life of dependency.
03:01 Because aid that emancipates a human being is the kind of dignified giving that government
03:08 should practice and that this government is practicing.
03:12 >> The president is also proud of the National Food Stamp Program that helps families in
03:16 the food poor criteria.
03:17 He also emphasized that government will not turn a blind eye or deaf ear to the needs
03:22 of persons with disabilities.
03:24 He also acknowledged steps taken by Congress to ensure funding for various government programs,
03:30 particularly the DSWD.
03:32 >> They have hiked your budget this year to 245 billion from last year's 196.5 billion.
03:40 >> [FOREIGN]
03:50 >> In my government, various spendings are veto proof.
03:59 >> [FOREIGN]
04:25 >> DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian is proud of the agency's contributions to reducing
04:30 poverty incidents in the country.
04:32 He also said that 6.5 million beneficiaries received help under the assistance of individuals
04:37 in crisis situations in 2023 from only 5.34 million in 2022, 21% increase.
04:44 He also shared that more than 600,000 beneficiaries have graduated from the Pantawid Pamilyang
04:49 Filipino Program or for peace.
04:51 >> We are proud to say that we have played a part in the President's directive of a whole
04:56 of nation approach in decreasing poverty incidents to a single digit.
05:01 In fact, last year, the DSWD playing its role in the whole of nation approach contributed
05:07 to the decreasing poverty incidents from 23.7% in 2021 to 22.4% in 2023.
05:16 >> The Disaster Response Command Center was also launched earlier, led by President Marcos
05:21 Jr. and the Buhong Bansahanda Project that aimed to strengthen the disaster response
05:26 and management system of the country.
05:28 Meanwhile, the DSWD clarified it is not adding requirements for those seeking government's
05:33 help.
05:34 These following reports that some groups are using the programs of the DSWD to collect
05:38 signatures to promote the push for charter change or CHACHA.
05:42 >> Hindi kami humihingi ng karagdagan pang mga requirements katulad ng paglahok sa iba't
05:49 ibang mga programa or iba't ibang inisiyatibo.
05:51 >> Kenneth Paciente, for the nation.