Iloilo City Gov’t, DSWD-6 sign pacts for public welfare programs
Cementing further the active collaboration between the Iloilo City government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Field Office 6, three official agreements were signed by the two parties on February 27 at Iloilo City Hall.
“Gapasalamat ko sa tanan nga programa sang DSWD. This means that we have done something to improve the lives of our fellow Ilonggos. Ang maayo nga madala naton diri sa kalibutan amo ang aton continuous effort to make the life of our people better every day,” said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
The partners in uplifting the Ilonggo community signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program, a Memorandum of Understanding for the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Program, and the Data Sharing and Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Mayor Treñas, on behalf of the Iloilo City government, was joined by DSWD-6 Regional Director Arwin Razo, Asst. Regional Director Joselito Estember, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Teresa Gelogo, and DSWD-6 Division Chiefs Katherine Joy Lamprea and Asuncion Santiago. For the Data Sharing and Non-Disclosure Agreement, Atty. Fydah Sabando of the City Data Assessment and System Management Office also took part.
“Walang Gutom”, a flagship program of the national government, aims to decrease the incidence of involuntary hunger experienced by low-income families. Under the MOA, the local government is tasked with endorsing the program to the barangays, providing logistical support, and providing endorsements and coordination with relevant city offices.
To date, 419 city residents have benefitted from the P3,000 per month for three years of Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards, which can be used to purchase select food commodities at eligible partner stores and merchants.
In 2024, the city received a P1-million cash prize for being one of the 17 finalists in the “Walang Gutom Awards” of the Galing Pook and DSWD. The city’s entry, “RISE-A-FARM,” was shortlisted after surpassing the rigorous screening process out of more than 100 local government units in the country.
Meanwhile, the Data Sharing and Non-Disclosure Agreement aims for the seamless verification and monitoring of programs implemented. Specifically, it ensures that all 4Ps beneficiaries registered in DSWD-6’s database complement the number of beneficiaries receiving support services. The data may also be utilized in the Iloilo City government’s Action Plan targets per indicator for proper tracking of the programs, projects, and activities (PPAS).
According to DSWD-6, around 7,000 4Ps beneficiaries from Iloilo City are expected to graduate this year.
“We appreciate the support and the efforts para tuloy-tuloy na magkatuwang si DSWD at si local government unit. We look forward to sustaining and nurturing this reinforcing partnership towards the betterment of the constituents. What we are doing together, in terms of making a difference in the lives of the poor, actually requires partnership and involvement of other stakeholders. Kami po sa DSWD, we strongly commend the local government for always giving us support,” said Razo. (Pearl Socias/Iloilo City PIO)