(Metro Manila, Philippines) – Harnessing the power of technology, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set on revolutionizing the way social services are delivered, promising more efficient and responsive delivery of aid to those in need.
In an interview on Zoom In with Menchu Macapagal, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian shared that the procurement for the so-called Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program is nearing completion.
“The next progression there is, ngayon na streamlined na (now that it’s streamlined), you have to automate it,” Gatchalian noted, building on the groundwork laid by his predecessor, former secretary and now congressman Rep. Erwin Tulfo.
Gatchalian said the automated system for the AICS program, which provides medical, burial, transportation, education and financial assistance among others, will be launched by December.
Recognizing the critical role of the private sector, the DSWD is also automating regulatory processes for Social Welfare Development Agencies (SWDAs) and simplifying the procedures for public solicitation of donations. This initiative aims to remove bureaucratic hurdles and encourage more active participation from non-governmental organizations and foundations.
“We’ve managed to streamline that. When you get your permit to operate as a foundation, built-in na yun,” Gatchalian explained. “We trust you enough to give you a permit; you should also be able to do public solicitation.”
On its website, the DSWD says its online platform for SWDAs will be officially launched this month. According to the department, NGOs and foundations can submit their requirements and monitor the status of their applications real-time through the online platform.
“I always look at them as enablers to end poverty. But you have to put the environment necessary for them to thrive,” Gatchalian said.
Apart from this, another significant digital initiative is the implementation of a Case Management System for adoption, developed in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). This system will centralize and automate the management of adoption cases, making it easier to match children in care facilities with prospective adoptive parents.
“Bawal na dapat yung mano-mano na tatawag ka don, pwede padala yung case file ni ganito. So, now, we enter it, we pull out the case file, we understand what this child needs then NACC, the agency, can look through it and do the matching,” Gatchalian said.
[Translation: It should no longer be the case where you manually call and send the case file of a child.]
In addition to these digital advancements, the DSWD has made significant strides in disaster relief preparedness. With three typhoons having already hit the country, the department has prepositioned nearly two million family food boxes across the regions. The repacking centers have been upgraded to automate the production line, ensuring that aid can be rapidly distributed.
“We’ve never prepositioned as many goods nationwide before, and we’ve automated our repacking centers to increase efficiency,” Gatchalian noted.
The DSWD will also do a pilot-run on a software that will better manage disaster response. This system allows the department to disaggregate data on evacuees, providing detailed information on the vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, lactating mothers, the elderly, and children. This enables a more targeted and effective response to their needs.
Gatchalian emphasized that the department’s digitalization efforts are not just about improving efficiency but also ensuring transparency and accountability. “By integrating technology into our processes, we are not only speeding up service delivery but also making sure that every step is tracked and documented,” he said.
Gatchalian said the initiatives are aligned with the broader goals of the Marcos administration. “We plan to see these programs through,” he said, referring to the department’s goals of single-digit poverty rates and zero incidence of involuntary hunger by 2028. – Sophia Sioco
