The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will continue to prioritize efficient and effective service delivery for 2026.
“Ang sabi sa amin ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian, sabi nya for 2026, we need to work harder, we need to work smarter, we need to work faster, but with extra love and extra care. Gagawin po natin iyon as we continue with our efficient delivery, we will continue to invest in human capital, and of course, we will continue our rapid and sustained disaster response operations,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, said over DZMM’s Teleradyo program ‘Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan’ on Saturday (January 24).
Asst. Secretary Dumlao told DZMM program anchors that the DSWD will focus on more people-centered programs this year as the Department was given an expanded budget of Php264.45 billion under the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
With the increase in the DSWD’s budget, Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the Department will be able to support the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 12309 or the Free Funeral Services Act under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, as well as the plan for the digital issuance of guarantee letters.
“Dapat people-centered tayo, people-focused tayo especially in service delivery. Hindi dapat napapahirapan yung ating mga kababayan. In crisis na nga sila, pipila pa sila, kukuha pa sila ng mga dokumento, hindi po nakakatulong para sa ating mga clients. So we’re focusing on ensuring na maayos yung pagpapahatid natin ng tulong sa kanila,” the DSWD spokesperson pointed out.
For protective programs, Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the Department’s Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) and the Social Pension (SocPen) for Indigent Senior Citizens Program also received additional funding for 2026.
“At present, 120 days po yung ating feeding cycle pero nakita natin na pwede natin i-increase iyan to 180 days para talagang matugunan yung nutritional requirements ng mga batang enrolled in child development centers, particularly yung mga 3 to 5 years old,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
Under the SocPen, the program received an allotment of Php51.8 billion to accommodate additional indigent senior citizens who were under the waiting list of their respective local government units (LGUs).
To boost the disaster response capability of the DSWD for 2026, the DSWD spokesperson shared the good news on the budget hike for the Department’s Quick Response Fund (QRF) and the fund allocation to start the establishment of the Mindanao Disaster Resource Center (MDRC) in Butuan City.
“With the increase of Php1.75 billion, making our Quick Response Fund to Php3 billion, mas madali po tayong makakapag-provide ng immediate assistance for those affected by disasters,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out.
Apart from its regular programs, Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the increase in the DSWD’s budget will also be allotted to strengthen the Department’s regulatory function through its standards setting, licensing, accreditation, and monitoring services, and in the development and enhancement of social technologies to help more vulnerable and marginalized sectors.
The ‘Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan’ is aired over DZMM Teleradyo 630 every Saturday from 11am to 12 noon, and anchored by veteran broadcaster Alvin Elchico with Jet Guevarra of the DSWD’s Public Relations Service as co-anchor. (AKDL)
