Dagdag-pondo para sa seniors, centenarians, hirit ng DSWD

ni Lolet Abania | September 6, 2022

Umapela ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) para sa karagdagang pondo na ilalaan sa kanilang iba’t ibang aid programs habang nahaharap sa isang P8-billion cut sa 2023 proposed budget.

Ayon kay DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo, naghahanap siya ng mas maraming pondo partikular na para sa pensyon ng mga indigent senior citizens, cash gift para sa centenarians, at supplemental feeding program.

“For Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, an additional P25.7 billion [is needed] for the increase in stipend from P500 to P1000 monthly... pursuant to RA 11961,” pahayag ni Tulfo ngayong Martes sa House Committee on Appropriations sa ginanap na budget briefing ng ahensiya.

“For the implementation of the centenarian program, [we need an] additional P66.2 million to serve the eligible waitlisted centenarians,” sabi ni Tulfo.

“For 2023, we have a proposed budget of P175.1 million for 1,675 centenarians that we have right now,” dagdag ng kalihim.

Ayon kay Tulfo, may 662 centenarians ang naghihintay na maka-avail sa nasabing programa, kung saan nag-udyok naman kay Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman na mag-suggest ng isang funding source.

“Those [who are] waitlisted cannot wait because by the time you grant them the benefits they have been looking for baka (perhaps) they are not here with us anymore,” saad ni Lagman.

“I will suggest that you should not wait for the enactment of the GA 2023 in order to fund the requirements for the 662. I would suggest that please look at the President’s Contingent Fund, baka makakuha kayo doon ng pondo para ‘di gaano maghihintay itong mga centenarians,” ani Lagman.

Sinabi pa ni Tulfo na nangangailangan din ang DSWD ng P2.5 billion para sa kanilang supplementary feeding program upang itaas ang per capita cost ng hot meals na P27 mula sa P15, at gatas na P21 mula sa P19.

“The DSWD proposed a P196.775-billion for next year, down from P204.75 billion in 2022,” sabi pa ni Tulfo.