(An article by Ms. Perla Lena lifted from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1122733…)

ILOILO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Western Visayas has reported a 93.45 percent utilization rate of its funds worth over PHP11 billion intended for the implementation of various programs in the region as of October 31, 2020.

DSWD 6 regional director Evelyn Macapobre, in a virtual presser on Monday, detailed the programs with high utilization rate in response to the reported unspent fund of the department in last week’s budget deliberation in the Senate. She said that the region is left with 6.55 percent of its funds that should be utilized until the end of this year.

“Definitely all the funds will be used before the end of the year. Overall we are at 93.45 percent,” she said.

She added the region’s PHP30.87 million quick response fund (QRF) has a 99.49 percent utilization rate. Among those that were charged to the QRF is the acquisition of food packs that were given to various local government units (LGUs). The protected program for individuals and families in especially difficult circumstances has posted a 97.96 percent utilization rate of its PHP7.284 billion fund. Macapobre said the fund for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) is being drawn from the protected program.

The AICS is extended to indigents who are seeking help such as burial, hospital bills, and medicines for chemotherapy, among others, she said. Further, 90.74 percent of the PHP217.198 million fund for the disaster response and management program was utilized. Once used up, this fund is being replenished by the central office. With the case of the Supplementary Feeding Program, 92.26 percent of the PHP364.451 million budget has been used up.

Macapobre explained that they could not fully pay the contractors unless the goods are completely delivered. The delivery of goods is gradual since the program runs for six months and some of the goods such as vegetables and eggs are perishable. The PHP246.663 million fund for the Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services National Community-Driven Development Program (KALAHI CIDSS NCDDP) was 89.23 percent used up.

Macapobre said that the fund for the program is one of those that was downloaded late. The PHP2.255 billion fund for the social pension for indigent senior citizens was 91 percent utilized while the poverty and reintegration program for trafficked persons was 81.99 used. She said funds for undocumented overseas Filipino workers among others are being sourced out from the poverty and reintegration program, which has a PHP945,000 budget this year.

So far, she said that the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) has a utilization rate of 81.55 percent for its PHP415.411 million funds because the release of grants is based on a schedule. “This shows that amid the pandemic, we are very much alive in the DSWD, especially here at the Regional Field Office 6,” she said. (PNA)