The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday, June 9, welcomed the new executive order on devolution noting that this will lead to more “accountable” delivery of immediate assistance to those who need it.
President Duterte on June 1 signed Executive Order (EO) No. 138 or the “Full Devolution of Certain Functions of the Executive Branch to Local Governments, Creation of a Committee on Devolution, and for other purposes.”
DSWD noted that under EO 138, some of the functions, services, and facilities of national government agencies related to local infrastructures, health care, livelihood, agriculture, and social welfare - among other - will be “transferred” to local government units (LGUs), with accompanying budget allotment.
“The DSWD believes that the devolution of social welfare and development (SWD) services to LGUs will translate to their closer, more efficient, and accountable delivery, especially to those in need of immediate assistance,” the department said.
Moreover, DSWD expressed hope that the Committee on Devolution will “be able to issue the rules and regulations” within the 30-day timeframe stipulated in the said Executive Order.
Following this development, DSWD said that it will “focus more on its steering role” and assured the public that it will “continue to work closely” with LGUs.
This, DSWD noted, includes capacitating LGUs as well as providing technical assistance and resource augmentation to ensure that the devolved SWD services will be “effectively and sustainably” implemented.