Senators flag possible overlapping of beneficiaries, duplication of DSWD programs

MANILA, Philippines — Some senators on Tuesday flagged the possible duplication of programs under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the “overlapping” of its beneficiaries.

During the plenary debates on the proposed DSWD budget for 2022, Senator Panfilo Lacson raised concern over the possibility that the agency’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and livelihood program of the National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) have the same target beneficiaries.

“Baka inaaddress na ng DSWD budget ‘yung beneficiaries under the Sustainable Livelihood Program yet meron pa rin tayong budget under NTF-Elcac na ganoon din, baka pareho ‘yung budget nito,” Lacson said.

(It’s possible that the DSWD budget for the Sustainable Livelihood Program is already covering the same beneficiaries of the NTF-Elcac program.)

The senator further noted that the beneficiaries of the different programs under the DSWD may also overlap with one another.

“Bakit napakadaming programs, eh ang tinatarget natin dito, social services ito eh. Pareho rin ‘yung target beneficiaries natin, why so many programs, why do we have 16 or more programs and each of them?” Lacson asked.

(Why are there so many programs when these are all for social services. The beneficiaries are the same, why so many programs, why do we have 16 or more programs and each of them?)

Lacson stressed the need for the agency to streamline its programs so that the government will be able to save money from overhead costs.

“If we are targeting the same beneficiaries, what’s the point of inventing so many programs? We can just expand a program so that at least we will be able to cut the administration costs,” Lacson pointed out.

Senator Imee Marcos, who defended the agency’s budget, said she was told by DSWD officials that the approach for its SLP is different from the program of the NTF-Elcac.

Marcos, speaking on behalf of the DSWD as its budget sponsor, said individuals are targeted for the SLP while the NTF-Elcac program is barangay-based.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon shared similar concerns, asking Marcos if she would shave off some of the appropriations projects, programs, or activities she deems as a duplication.

Marcos said the Senate finance panel has already slashed by P500 million the allocation for the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) Program of P960.9 million.

She noted that some of the items in the budget will also have to be reviewed, including the two programs under Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).

Senate Finance Committee vice chairperson Sen. Imee Marcos answers queries from colleagues as she defends the 2022 proposed budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its attached agencies during the continuation of the marathon hybrid plenary session Tuesday, November 23, 2021. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)

JPV