Butuan City– The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga, through the Social Pension, is calling the support of the Local Government Units (LGUs) of the region to adopt the scheme of fund transfer.
According to Sarah Rose Salingay, Focal Person of Social Pension, since the implementation of the fund transfer in year 2013, there are only 53 LGUs in the region which adopted the said scheme after signing the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and passing the resolution during their session.
The following are the LGUs which adopted the scheme: Lanuza, Jabonga, Kitcharao, Las Nieves, Remedios T. Romualdez, Santiago, Butuan, Esperanza, Loreto, Prosperidad, Rosario, San Francisco, Santa Josefa, Sibagat, Talacogon, Surigao City, Alegria, Burgos, Claver, Del Carmen, General Luna, Gigaquit, Malimono, Pilar, San Francisco, San Isidro, Santa Monica, Socorro, Tagana-an, Bislig, Tandag, Barobo, Bayabas, Cagwait, Cantilan, Carmen, Carrascal, Cortes, Hinatuan, Lianga, Lingig, Marihatag, San Agustin, San Miguel, Tagbina, Tago, Basilisa, Cagdianao, Dinagat, Libjo, Loreto, San Jose, and Tubajon.
“Ang uban LGUs nagpadayon ang lobbying sa MOA panahon sa ilang session hinungdan nga hangtud karun wala pa gyud na-adaptar ang pag-download sa pundo tungod kay kulang pa ang ilang mga rekisitos (Other LGUs still continue lobbying the MOA during their session that’s why we can’t transfer the funds to their municipal account due to lack of requirements),” said Salingay.
“The purpose of downloading the money to the LGUs account is to fast track the disbursement of money during the schedule payout every 1st month of every quarter to the right beneficiaries whose ages are 60 years old and above,” she added.
Also, the LGUs will provide special assistance to those bedridden beneficiaries by delivering the stipend at their respective homes.
With this, the Social Pension office encourages the LGUs who have not adopted the scheme yet on the approval of the Resolution and the MOA on the adoption of the transfer fund for this will benefit the pensioners.
However, Salingay clarified that the payroll preparation will be done in the region, but the disbursement process will be the responsibility of the respective LGUs. This will ensure that no alterations of the list and the eligible beneficiaries will receive the pension.
On the other hand, the LGU is obliged to send their liquidation report every 15th day of the 2nd month of every quarter for the paid and unpaid beneficiaries as part of the agreement and the report will be checked by the account officer. The undisbursed amount shall return to DSWD for the account of Bureau of Treasury along with the Statement of Reimbursement and Disbursement, Report of Check issued, Report of Disbursement and photocopy of payroll.
Social Pension is a program of DSWD intended for the senior citizens ages from 60 and above who are frail/ sickly and with no pension either from SSS, GSIS, PVAO and other insurance companies. The beneficiaries receive Php500 every month which are distributed every quarter. ###(ABEGAIL R. ALVAREZ/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)
