As it aims to further improve the delivery of social protection packages to its beneficiaries, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) unveiled a newly constructed agency operations center, motorpool, and information technology building to serve its beneficiaries in Western Visayas.

DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista led the inauguration of the facilities to provide real-time information that will serve as the basis for carrying out services during a disaster response.

As a command facility, it will also house the monitoring and coordination of unified data management, faster generation of updated data sets, and improvement of monitoring and evaluation systems for its social welfare and development programs and services.

In addition, the motorpool will be a key facility to ensure maintenance of service vehicles used for operations, while the information technology building will house computer servers and equipment needed to meet the IT needs of the agency.

During his visit, Bautista also graced the graduation ceremony of 73 exiting Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) households in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.

As part of the program mandate, the households who are already self-sufficient and without children aged 18 below will undergo a transition process prior to their exit from the program.

“Ang inyong pagtatapos ay bunga ng sama-sama nating pagtutulungan para sa isang magandang bukas na maaari ring matunghayan ng susunod na henerasyon. Mula sa epektibo na pag-alalay at pagsuporta sa kalusugan, nutrisyon at edukasyon, naging pundasyon ang programa para sa inyong kaunlaran (Exiting the program is the fruit of all our collective will to make our dream of a better future tangible for the next generation. From your effective assistance and support in the fronts of health, nutrition, and education, this in turn has become the foundation of our program for the benefit of all its participants),” Bautista said in a statement.

He also visited the DSWD Action Center in Iloilo City that implements the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, one of the frontline services of the department for indigents and individuals in crisis who need financial assistance for burial, medical, education, and transportation.

The DSWD concluded his visit by leading the social pension payout to the social pensioners in Brgy. Concordia, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.

The distribution of the stipend is the beginning of the three-day payout for the 3,863 social pensioners amounting to P5.727 million, covering their second-quarter pension.

“Kami ay all-out support sa inyo at alam naming panahon na madagdagan ang inyong pension (The Department supports you and we know it is time to expand the pension),” Bautista said.

“Mayroon ding proposal na ang award sa senior citizens ay magsisimula sa 80 years old at hindi lang sa centenarians. Ang DSWD ay sumusuporta sa mga ito upang magkaroon ng magandang buhay ang ating mga Tatay at Nanay (There is also a proposal that the award for senior citizens will start at 80 years old and not just for centenarians. The DSWD supports this so that the senior citizens can have a good life),” he added.