DSWD cites pandemic challenges to explain P83-B unused funds

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday cited challenges brought by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic when explaining why it has yet to spend over P83 billion of its allocations under the 2019 and 2020 general appropriations acts.

“[T]here are lots of challenges; the COVID pandemic, ‘yung mga restrictions, mobility,” DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

“Likewise ‘yung atin mga isinagawang validation, ‘yung mga procurement issues din, logistics, and of course the threat on the health of our personnel that have hampered and adversely affected ‘yung implementation of various DSWD programs and activities,” she added.

At the Senate deliberations of the DSWD's proposed P174.9-billion budget for 2021, Senator Franklin Drilon said it was "almost criminal" for the DSWD to have unspent funds when Filipinos needed aid amid the pandemic and the recent disasters.

In response, Dumlao said that the agency has not stopped delivering aid despite the challenges.

“Despite all the challenges that we have faced and continuously faced despite the numerous typhoons that we have… encountered, the DSWD ay hindi po tumigil sa pagpapa-hatid ng tulong sa ating mga kababayan,” she said.

“Hindi po natin hinayaan ang ating mga kababayan na mag-hirap. Tayo po ay nag patupad ng ating mga programa. Tayo po ay umalalay sa mga local na pamahalaan upang matugunan ‘yung pangangailangan po ng kanilang mga nasasakupan,” she added.

Dumlao also assured that the DSWD will “commit” to using the funds.

“The DSWD commits to fully expedite itong pag gamit ng pondo para maipahatid natin doon sa intended beneficiaries, doon sa mga programa to which they were naman programmed,” she said.

Allocations under the P83 billion

Under the P83 billion, Dumlao said P2.1 billion was allocated for the Complementary Feeding Program, P2.6 billion was allocated for the Sustainable Livelihood Program, P3.9 billion was allocated for indigent senior citizens, and P13 billion was allocated for individuals in crisis situations.

“‘Yun namang doon sa Supplementary Feeding Program, nabanggit ko P2.1 billion ang na-allot diyan. And ito ay na download na natin doon sa mga field offices and sa ating mga local government units,” she said.

“But because of the COVID, because of the situation nga, na nag karoon ng community quarantine, nag karoon tayo ng mga delays in the procurement dahil walang mga suppliers eh because of the economic inactivity for such a period of time,” she added.

She said that the distribution of aid under the Sustainable Livelihood Program was delayed due to the ban on mass gatherings amid the pandemic.

“[T]ake note also for a period of time bawal po ‘yung o nilimitahan natin ‘yung gatherings. Under the sustainable livelihood program, meron tayong isinasagawa na mga barangay assembly, that’s part of our social preparation,” she said.

She earlier said that the program’s special allotment release order was at P2.4 billion and was recently released on October 22.

“But, nonetheless, kalahati niyan ay na-download na natin sa mga field offices,” Dumlao said.

The spokesperson said that the agency also had a problem with distributing social pension for indigent senior citizens.

“Our senior citizens are the most vulnerable during this period. So, somehow, there was a difficulty also in reaching out to our beneficiaries. Dahil hindi natin sila puwedeng i-gather in one area. Kinakailangan dalhin natin 'yung kanilang pension,” she said.

Dumlao added that they also lacked dispersing officers as some had to undergo quarantine due to the COVID-19.

“A lot of them had to undergo also self-quarantine dahil may mga na-expose na rin po during payout. So, somehow naka apekto ito doon sa ating mga activities,” she said.

“Likewise, marami rin sa ating mga kawani had to be mobilized para makatulong doon sa mga na-apektuhan ng mga series of typhoons na ating na-encounter,” she added.

Dumlao said that the P1.5 billion unused funds from the 2019 appropriations act was due to the delay of the release of the 2019 budget.

“So while we were implementing ‘yung mga programs and services funded, of course, by the 2019 budget dumating rin naman itong COVID-19 and we had to focus also our attention on the assistance that we will be extending doon sa mga naapektuhan nito,” she said.

Realignment

Dumlao said the DSWD has also requested the Department of Budget and Management to realign some of its budget which will no longer be used.

“In fact, we have already submitted also our request sa Department of Budget and Management ng realignment or modification nung, halimbawa, doon sa 4Ps. Kasi nga po wala pa pong pasok nung August and September kasi nga po October na po nagkaroon ng pasukan,” Dumlao said.

“So ‘yung educational grant intended for that particular month ay ni-request na rin po natin for realignment,” she added.

The spokesperson said they have requested the DBM to realign P7.6 billion allocated for the educational grant for August and September to assistance to individuals under crisis situations, which will be given as educational assistance. — BM, GMA News