THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already provided cash assistance amounting to more than PHP830 million to 207,152 persons with disabilities (PWDS) in 150 different municipalities across the country, an official report of the agency said.
The DSWD said the figure is only as of Jan. 19, and consolidation of the final reports of the beneficiaries from the Field Offices is still ongoing.
The payout activities were conducted simultaneously in December 2022 for DSWD’s cash-for-work (CFW) intended for PWDs in the country as part of the agency’s compliance with the Marcos administration’s mandate to bring the government programs closer to the people.
Some of the community works and services conducted by the PWDs include communal gardening, tree planting, cleaning of public offices and surroundings and coastal cleanup, among others.
Dubbed as “BUHAYnihan or Buhay at Bayanihan para sa Mamamayan Cash-for-Work for Persons with Disabilities,” the project was spearheaded by the DSWD Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide assistance to Ahe vulnerable sectors and bring the programs directly to the Filipinos.
This is also in response to the emerging priority for the provision of programs and services to PWDs, and the recognition of their human rights.
The DSWD, as the lead agency in protecting the rights of the vulnerable and marginalized sectors, vowed to continue to implement social protection packages for every Filipino, particularly persons with disabilities.
Meanwhile, the DSWD is warning the public against giving monetary or in-kind support to fraudsters and scammers using falsified solicitation permits allegedly for the benefit of the needy sector.
The warning came after the DSWD received information that a group, the Department for the Blinds Welfare of the Philippines, Inc, was undertaking public solicitation presenting a certificate of fund raising allegedly issued by the DSWD.
The alleged certificate bore the falsified signature of then DSWD Field Office III Director and now Assistant Secretary Marites M. Maristela.
Maristela said that using a falsified certificate of fund raising bearing her name is unlawful and unauthorized. She strongly denied the authenticity of the certificate.
She lamented that that there were kind-hearted individuals and families who were victimized by the fraud.
Maristela appealed to the public to help the DSWD in stopping the group from further victimizing people by reporting to the nearest DSWD office or police station if they are approached by anyone with the fake certificate.
The DSWD is also advising the public to verify the legitimacy of any solicitation campaign with the agency before giving out any form of assistance.
This precautionary measure is not meant to dampen the generous spirit of the Filipinos, but to ensure that public solicitation is not taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals and groups, and really benefits those in need. (Zaldy De Layola)
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