Fintech should power disbursement programs as manual cash aid distribution risky

Under the “new normal” dictated by COVID-19, contactless solutions are perceived to be the best way of distributing cash assistance to families and households greatly affected by the pandemic.

In the Philippines, the distribution of financial aid under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) to beneficiaries is still implemented on ground. Left with no other choice, thousands of people have flocked to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distribution centers in their respective local government units to receive the cash grant. Social distancing protocols were impossible to follow due to the high volume of beneficiaries lining up for financial assistance, thus increasing the risk of contracting the virus.

DSWD taps GCash for digital distribution of SAP

GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, has been tapped by the Department of Social Works and Development (DSWD) for the disbursement of its digital financial aid in a bid to hasten the distribution of the cash assistance to its beneficiaries. 

Now, beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) may choose to receive their cash aid safely, securely, and conveniently via GCash. By simply registering in the newly-launched online platform called ReliefAgad, beneficiaries may apply for the cash aid without the need to line up at government centers, thereby reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission. 

"Banca Ni DV" Project of Oplan Pamamalakaya Provides Boats For Fishermen of Batangas

Fishermen of Batangas were the beneficiaries of the special project of Oplan Pamamalakaya which aims to provide new fishing boats or bancas to poor communities in the country. Dubbed as "Banca Ni DV," the boats were donated by DV Boer Farm International Corporation (DVBFI), headed by its CEO Dexter Villamin. The beneficiaries came from the coastal areas around Matabungkay in the town of Lian.

Oplan Pamamalakaya is a DVBFI initiative intended to offer profitable and sustainable livelihood opportunities for the members of Magsasaka Inc., a legitimate non-governmental organization (NGO), with the purpose to contribute to the country's overall agricultural progress and development not only in  terms of livestock farming but crop production and fisheries as well.

DepEd, DOH, DSWD team up to combat dengue in schools nationwide

In its continued commitment to promote and provide a safer and healthier learning environment for Filipino learners, the Department of Education (DepEd) has joined forces with the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in battling dengue through the continued installation of insecticide-treated screens (ITS) in public schools during the launching of Brigada Para sa Kalinisan.

Brigada para sa Kalinisan aims to gather local community leaders, parents, and schools to work together in keeping the environment sanitized to prevent dengue in schools and communities. DOH has recently distributed 20,000 ITS rolls to selected public elementary schools in different parts of the country.

SM Foundation Sends Out 50,000 Relief Packs to Yolanda Victims

The SM Group of Companies, through the SM Foundation's disaster relief program, Operation Tulong Express, has started relief operations in typhoon-stricken areas across Luzon and the Visayas region to provide assistance to the families greatly affected by super typhoon Yolanda.

“The SM Group of Companies has mobilized SM Foundation’s Tulong Express disaster relief facility. We are distributing 50,000 kalinga packages to typhoon victims in Tacloban, Samar, Panay Island (Iloilo, Antique, Capiz), Cebu, Bicol and Bacolod," said SM Foundation executive director Debbie Sy.

WFP Donates Logistics Equipment to Strengthen DSWD’s Regional Disaster Response Capacity

In time for the typhoon season, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has donated US$130,000 of logistics equipment to the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Region XIII (CARAGA) and Region XI (Davao Oriental) field offices. The equipment includes mobile warehouse/storage units, generator sets, pre-fabricated offices and wooden and plastic pallets that will help both regional offices strengthen their response capacities for future emergencies.  

US and Philippine Governments, WFP, and Non-Government Organizations Join Forces to Build Resilience Against Disasters

In observance of National Disaster Consciousness Month, United States Agency for International Development/Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance Regional Advisor for East Asia and the Pacific Benjamin Hemingway (fifth from right), Department of Social Welfare and Development Head of Disaster Risk Reduction and Response Operations Office Director Restituto Macuto (second from right), Office of Civil Defense Training Division Officer-in-Charge Brigadier General Juanito Dalmas (leftmost), United Nations World Food Programme Philippines Representative and Country Director Praveen Agrawal (fourth from right), United Nations Population Fund Country Representative Ugochi Daniels (fifth from left), and representatives of non-government organizations and the academe signify their joint commitment to “harnessing synergies to build resilience against disasters” in the Philippines.

Indie film “Boses” strikes a chord wherever it is shown

Almost 100,000 and still growing in viewership!

The viewership is growing for a small independent film that has been making the rounds of screenings here in the Philippines and abroad since 2008.

The film is “Boses” and it is the story of a boy made mute due to unbearable circumstances, and the friendship he forges when he learns to play the violin under a reclusive mentor who is also dealing with personal issues. Starring seasoned thespians Cherry Pie Picache, Ricky Davao, and Meryll Soriano, and first-time actors Coke Bolipata and Julian Duque, “Boses” has been shown in at least nine countries around the world, and over 50 schools and communities in Metro Manila and Philippine provinces, since its big debut at the 4th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. “Boses” makes its way to SM Cinemas on July 31.

DSWD, DepEd: ‘No child will be left behind’

Every child in the Philippines will now have the chance to be schooled.

This is the vision of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Education (DepEd) as they launch Kariton Klasrum with the theme “Katropa, Edukasyon at Kalusugan Mo’y Sagot ko! Sakay na sa Kariton ng Pagbabago!” today in Ultra Sports Complex, Pasig City.

More than 200 children will be attending the said event to celebrate the start of the drive and to witness the symbolic signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between DSWD and DepEd.

As an alternative delivery mode of education, Kariton Klasrum aims to reach street families and out-of-school children who are beneficiaries of the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT), an offshoot of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, a human development program of the national government.

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: Aquino Government Hails new study on the Impact of Central Mindanao Conflict and Displacement

Research commissioned by the World Bank and World Food Programme notes persistent challenges after displaced households return to their homes.

Cycles of violent conflict in Central Mindanao have resulted in the mass displacement of nearly a million people from their homes over the past 12 years. In 2003, tens of thousands were displaced by armed conflict and, more recently, thousands of families had to leave their homes yet again when fighting escalated in parts of Zamboanga Sibugay and Basilan in October 2011. Currently, several thousand people across Mindanao remain displaced, particularly in Maguindanao. 

Disrupting livelihoods are presenting major challenges to both affected families and the government, these concerns do not necessarily end with the return of displaced individuals to their places of origin, a study by the World Bank (WB) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) during a launch at the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cabinet Cluster revealed.