DSWD replicating Capitol’s QR system

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is replicating Cebu Province’s QR coded system to deliver social protection through technology.

“They always think that social welfare is mano-mano all the time, manual, they always talk about digitalization but they never put DSWD, social welfare, in the same sentence of technology,” said DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian in his speech yesterday at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

Gatchalian said that unlike their previous process of giving out assistance, which was tedious, manual, and prone to system loss, he said that the model that Cebu runs is a working template that they can start using for other provinces in distributing the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) sector.

“With the new partnership that we have, we can show them that if Cebu can do it, they can do it,” Gatchalian said.

He said that the ‘Cebuano template’ in technology for social protection is effective as DSWD is targeting the most vulnerable sector—the poorest PWDs, but ensuring that they do it in a dignified manner.

The DSWD secretary said that with the QR coded system there is no need for the beneficiaries to fall in line, or even go to basketball courts for the distribution of assistance.

“This is a pioneering idea that we will copy, replicate, and push other LGU, whether barangay, whether province, to just copy the Cebuano model,” Gatchalian said as he expressed his gratitude to Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

For her part, Governor Garcia acknowledged Gatchalian for their partnership and for adapting the QR code system of the province to ensure that the assistance will be utilized for its purpose.

“We feel honored that Secretary Rex has chosen to adapt the QR coded system that we have been using from the very beginning with Sugbo Negosyo, then to typhoon odette with Dasig Sugbo, and now even with our distribution of financial assistance to persons that are affected by various fires that hit the different municipalities and cities, we now also give out QR coded cards so that the fund’s purpose will really be fulfilled,” said Garcia in her speech.

DSWD Field Office-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia then signed a cooperative agreement to bring P40.1 million worth of AICS for the PWD sector in the province.

Through the agreement, the provincial government is tasked to distribute the financial assistance to

10,249 target beneficiaries who are poor PWDs based on Listahanan 3 of DSWD QR-coded cards, which will be funded with a one-time assistance.

The non-Pantawid beneficiaries and residents of Cebu province will receive P3,500.

The system will be called the “Cash for Food Subsidy Plus” to be utilized in purchasing basic food commodities from accredited merchants by the provincial government.

“The QR-coded system of AICS distribution ensures that DSWD’s financial assistance worth P40.1 million will be spent purely for the intended purpose, such as the beneficiaries’ purchase of basic needs and commodities from the Capitol’s partner stores,” DSWD-7 said.

In his speech, Vice President Hilario Davide III said that he was elated to see that yesterday’s event underscored the use of a QR code system for the DSWD’s AICS, similar to the province’s own successful initiatives like Sugbo Negosyo, Dasig Sugbo and other programs.

“It reaffirms what we already knew here: that the Cebu Provincial Government has been executing its projects effectively and efficiently. We owe a great deal of gratitude to Gov. Gwen for her ingenuity and innovativeness in creating these programs to reduce poverty and streamline processes,” Davide said.

Joseph Jumantoc, the president of the Regional Federation for Persons with Disability showed his gratitude in his speech for having an inclusive program for the sector.

“Truly, this program can uplift the economic condition of the persons with disabilities in the province,” Jumantoc said.

The event yesterday was also attended by local chief executives of the Province, who took part in the orientation of DSWD’s innovation projects through an information caravan in collaboration with the Cebu Provincial Government.

Gatchalian introduced the three flagship programs or innovation projects of the Marcos Administration, which include the Walang Gutom 2027: “Food Stamp Program, Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program, and the Oplan Pag-abot.

“We are road-showing these three projects to encourage our partners in the local government units here in Cebu Province to support these programs. We are confident that these can be done successfully here in the province,” Gatchalian said.

DSWD- 7 RD Lucero announced that 42 local chief executives pledged their interest in replicating the Food Stamp Program, 39 for the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program, and 42 for the Oplan Pag-abot.

Gatchalian and Garcia also signed the deed of usufruct agreement to use the Bahay Pag-asa of Cebu Province and turn it into the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) for female children in conflict with the law (CICLs) for a period of 10 years, the first RRCY for girls in the entire country.

The conversion of this facility measuring a 2,000 square meter lot, according to DSWD-7, will provide social welfare services to female CICLs, which include programs and projects on child and youth welfare and community-based rehabilitation programs for juvenile delinquents.

Cebu also has an RRCY for boys located in the Municipality of Argao.

Gatchalian visited yesterday four centers and residential care facilities (CRCFs) in Region 7, namely: the Home for Girls (HFG), the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC), the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center II (AVRC), and the Regional Haven for Women.

He commended DSWD-7 for having all the CRCFs in the region as centers of excellence. He likewise appreciated the cleanliness of all the CRCFs.

Gatchalian also led the launching yesterday of the DSWD Satellite Office in Labangon, Cebu City.

Services of DSWD can now be availed through the said satellite office in coordination with Cebu City South District Representative Edu Rama.

Social services include medical, burial, and financial assistance.

Apart from Gatchalian, Representative Rama was also present, as well as Atty. Lambert Cuizon, and Labangon Barangay Captain Derrick Yap. — /ATO (FREEMAN)