DSWD records 123 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among its personnel
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Monday (August 10) it has recorded 123 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among its personnel.
The DSWD assured the public that the second tranche distribution of Social Amelioration Program (SAP) and the delivery of its other pro-people services will “remain unhampered” amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases among its SAP frontliners.
"To date, a total of 434 personnel have been affected by the health crisis. Of this number, 123 are confirmed cases with 74 active cases, while the rest are undergoing quarantine,” it said in a statement.
The agency said the infected SAP frontliners were given assistance “based on their needs", ranging from personal protective equipment (PPE), financial and medical assistance, food packs, and psychosocial services based on needs.
"DSWD personnel brave the threats to their health and well-being in order to deliver the cash subsidies during manual payouts in big venues, as well as in far-flung and conflict-areas,” the DSWD said in a statement.
"Aside from the SAP, DSWD personnel also render face-to-face service to clients availing of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, locally stranded individuals, seniors citizen-beneficiaries of the Social Pension, and persons with disability, among others,” it added.
The DSWD has been tasked to lead the implementation of SAP, which grants subsidies ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 to low-income households as provided for under Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
Last June, the DSWD announced that 11 of its personnel tested positive for coronavirus disease.
Four personnel came from Field Office (FO)-National Capital Region (NCR), four from FO Region IV-A (CALABARZON), and three from FO VII (Central Visayas).
Currently, the DSWD has close to 30,000 personnel nationwide.