The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD) will now transfer the funds to the local government units (LGUs) for the social pension of indigent senior citizens.
The LGUs will distribute the stipend to the indigent senior citizens whose names are listed in the consolidated order of payment provided by the DSWD-7.
“The DSWD introduces this new scheme in order to fast track the distribution of cash assistance to the beneficiaries.” said DSWD Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat.
“This would be an additional task for the LGUs. However, we are grateful for their continued support in accepting this new challenge,” Jabagat said.
Currently, there are 59 LGUs out of the 132 LGUs in region 7 that are qualified for fund transfer. These identified LGUs have no unliquidated funds from any DSWD programs.
Before transferring the funds, LGUs need to prepare the required documents such as project proposal and council’s resolution authorizing the mayor to sign a memorandum of agreement with the DSWD.
The Department of Budget and Management allocated P208,752,000 for the social pension program for region 7.
For 2014, DSWD-7 identified a total of 34,792 beneficiaries for the said program.
To ensure smooth implementation of the program, the regional office and the LGU will conduct monitoring activities.
The social workers will conduct spot checking and the representatives from the field office will witness the pay-out.
The social pension is one of the social protection programs of DSWD that provides P500 monthly stipends to indigent senior citizens.
Qualified for the program are those 77 years old and above; frail, sickly, or disabled; not receiving pension from the Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, or Veterans Pension; and does not have a permanent source of income or regular support from relatives.