Cebu Province’s digitalized concept in assisting the marginalized sector will now become a nationwide program courtesy of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
On Wednesday, July 3, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian praised Gov. Gwen Garcia for the “progressive” and “out of the box” QR code system which he said will now be emulated in all its programs and soon in local government units nationwide.
“So today that partnership has been signed, sealed, because more than anything we want to copy it and replicate and let other provinces emulate it,” Gatchalian said during a press conference at the Governor’s Office right after the signing of agreements between the agency and the Capitol for the use of the QR code system for the implementation of its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program for persons with disabilities or the AICS-plus.
Gov. Gwen and DSWD 7 director Shalaine Marie Lucero signed the agreement which will distribute the funds to over 11,000 beneficiaries identified by DSWD.
The DSWD Chief is in Cebu for the launching and information caravan of its flagship program Walang Gutom: Foodstamp Program, Pag Abot Program and Tara Basa! Tutoring Program and the signing of an agreement for the establishment of the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (Girls) in Naga City, Cebu.
“What we will do is we will tell them to copy the Cebuano model of Gov. Gwen in delivering social welfare,” the DSWD chief said.
The QR-code system was conceptualized in 2020 when Gov. Garcia was looking for ways to assist micro and small-and-medium entrepreneurs in the province who were badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The governor was adamant in perpetuating a culture of mendicancy especially in extending assistance to the marginalized and victims of calamities and thus the digitalized card was created and implemented through its Sugbo Negosyo program and later the Dasig Sugbo Program.
“It’s progressive, it’s pioneering, it is out of the box solution (and) for that we are thankful to Gov. Gwen for sharing that idea,” Gatchalian said who also added that he met the governor two months ago and learned of these programs.
“As the governor said, it is a historic, monumental day because there are a couple of things we are pushing for today. First of all, as I’ve said multiple times kanina, it is technology for social protection and it is being piloted in Cebu. It’s a proof of concept that digitalization can go hand in hand with social protection,” the former Valenzuela mayor and legislator-turned cabinet secretary said.
He added that the QR-code system which the Capitol used to dispense with social welfare “is not only graft-free, it’s efficient, and it’s very empowering to our people with disabilities, and to our vulnerable sector.”
Meantime, for its food stamp program (FSP), 300,000 family beneficiaries will receive a digital card from which they can buy their food and other necessities through partner merchants including the Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores.
In Cebu Province, 10,000 are identified to receive the assistance, and according to Gatchalian, this will still grow in the coming months in keeping with the nationwide goal of assisting 1 million Filipinos in the next 3 years.
Under the FSP family beneficiaries are taught prepare affordable, healthy and delicious meals through the nutrition education sessions conducted in partnership with the private sector.
Meanwhile, in the same event, Gov. Garcia announced a P3 million assistance as the Capitol’s counterpart in helping realize the national government’s thrust of poverty alleviation.
The amount will be used for the setting up of social welfare hubs in the province’s towns and cities. | VLA
