Davao City (DSWD XI) –“We, at the Department would like to reiterate that the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens is solely for poor older persons not receiving any pension from any government or private institution,” announced Mercedita P. Jabagat, Regional Director of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during an interview.

Earlier, reports reached DSWD Regional Office that some of those queueing up during payouts to claim the DSWD Social Pension are government and private pensioners, retirees who are receiving regular monthly pensions.

Director Jabagat said, “To immediately correct this problem, I have instructed our staffs under the Social Pension Unit to conduct validation of the list of social pensioners which was endorsed by local government units to DSWD. We also have communicated to the Office of Senior Citizens’ Affairs (OSCA) and the Local Government Units to help us disseminate the correct information. This is on top of the radio, newspaper and social media announcements and advisories we regularly feed to the public just to make sure that the assistance goes to the intended beneficiaries.”

“In our validation, we intend to saturate all barangays in the region to be able to ensure that only those who are eligible should receive the social pension,” Director Jabagat said.

Per DSWD records, Davao Region has 254,526 potential social pensioners as of second quarter of 2018. In 2017, the Department served 136,067.

The Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Program or RA 9995 addresses the clamor for social protection to the most vulnerable older persons as well as backs the full implementation of RA 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

The monthly stipend of P500 which took effect January 2011, augments the daily subsistence and other medical needs of indigent senior citizens.

Potential recipients are senior citizens (60 years old and above) who are frail, sickly, or have disabilities; not receiving pension from Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), or Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO); and do not have a permanent source of income or regular support from family or relatives.

Qualified senior citizens may apply at the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), which endorses the application to the City or Municipal Social Welfare Development Office for validation, same office then endorses the application to DSWD Regional Office.

Meanwhile, 13 centenarians in Davao Region will receive their Php 100,000.00 cash gift next week. For 2018, a total of Php 4 million will fund the 40 potential centenarians in the region. Centenarians poor or rich are entitled to receive the “centenarian gift” as well as recognition from the government for reaching 100 years under Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016. (DSWD)

CASH FOR WORK. Residents of Barangay Colosas, Paquibato District, Davao City claim their Cash-For-Work during the 20^th ARENA XI Serbisyo Caravan held in the barangay’s Sitio Panaga on May 18. At least 100 family heads participated in the program for 10 days at Php 255 per day. Men and women participants engaged in community gardening, road clearing, and improvement of waterways. Under its Cash-For-Work Program, a total of Php 255,000.00 was disbursed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the area along with 2000 family food packs which were distributed to barangay residents. Earlier this month, DSWD paid Php 3.1 million to Cash-for-Work participants in barangays Talomo and Buhangin, also in Davao City. (DSWD XI)

Davao City (DSWD XI) -The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) participated in the recent 20th ARENA XI Serbisyo Caravan in Sitio Panaga, Barangay Colosas, Paquibato District, Davao City.

Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Secretary Francis N. Tolentino was guest of honor.

Under its Cash-For-Work Program, a total of Php 255,000.00 was disbursed by DSWD in the area along with 2000 family food packs which were distributed to barangay residents.

Serbisyo Caravan of ARENA XI may now be considered the longest-running and the only all-inclusive public service delivery platform in the whole country.

Government cars in convoy, the Serbisyo Caravan brings community outreach programs and direct services closer to the people.

In a ‘fiesta’ setting, it provides a one-stop shop of services and information of national government agencies especially targeting the poorest barangays in the region in partnership with local government units. Lately, some private institutions have started joining and bringing in their services as well.

Part Two of which is the ‘People’s Dialogue’ where the community and local leaders consult with agency heads as well as with their local chief executives on priority development concerns in the locality.

ARENA XI or Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies in Region XI is composed of heads and assistant heads of over 50 regional offices of national government agencies based in Davao City.

Being one of the prime movers of ARENA XI, DSWD has extensively provided vital programs and services to the various communities where Serbisyo Caravan has been. (DSWD)

Sarangani, Davao Occidental (DSWD XI) – A total of 125 non-motorized fishing boats and fishing accessories were turned over to five barangays of the municipality of Sarangani, Davao Occidental on May 17 at the Mabila Port by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and in coordination with the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAgrO).

“There are 50 more boats yet to be turned over to the beneficiaries of the municipality,” SLP Provincial Coordinator Arthur A. Diaz, said in an interview. “The municipality of Sarangani is fortunate to have rich coastal and marine resources where people depend most of their livelihood on. This is why the turned-over fishing boats and fishing accessories would be of great help in improving the beneficiaries’ socio-economic condition.”

The turnover ceremony was attended by the beneficiary-fishermen and their families, representatives of DSWD and some officials of the LGU.

SLP together with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KaLaHi-CIDSS) are the three major poverty-reduction programs of the government being spearheaded by DSWD. (DSWD)

SOCIAL PENSION. Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte [third from right] receives the Eighty-Eight Million Five Thousand Pesos (Php 88,005,000.00) check from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat [third from left] during Monday’s City Hall convocation program. The amount will pay the 58,670 social pension beneficiaries of Davao City for the second quarter.

The Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Program addresses the clamor for social protection to the most vulnerable older persons as well as backs the full implementation of RA 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. The monthly stipend of P500 which took effect January 2011, augments the daily subsistence and other medical needs of indigent senior citizens.

Covering three quarters of 2018, DSWD will transfer a total of Php 264,015,000.00 to the city for the social pension program. From the initial 450 social pensioners in 2011, Davao City has now a total of 58,670 older persons qualified in the program.

Also in photo are [from left] Assistant City Treasurer Villa Dureza, DSWD Protective Services Division Chief Ma. Elena S. Labrador, City Social Services and Development Office Department Head Ma. Luisa T. Bermudo, and City Administrator Zuleika T. Lopez. (DSWD XI)