For years, the DSWD has directly managed the payout process for the social pension program, which benefits indigent senior citizens. However, in line with Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s directive and adherence to the Commission on Audit (COA) recommendation, the program is transitioning to a new model where funds will be transferred to LGUs.

This shift aims to streamline the process and potentially improve efficiency and accessibility for beneficiaries. Aranas emphasized that the DSWD Field Office Caraga will continue to play a vital role in the program’s success.

DSWD Field Office Caraga Protective Services Division (PSD) Chief Jessie Catherine Aranas emphasized that the Field Office will continue to carry out its role in ensuring the quality of delivering social services.

“Rest assured,” Aranas stated, “the Field Office Caraga will continue to provide oversight, guidance, and technical assistance, ensuring that the program maintains its integrity and achieves its intended outcomes. We are not stepping away; we are evolving our role to become a more strategic partner and facilitator.”

To end, Assistant Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Jean Paul Parajes thanked partners for heeding to DSWD Field Office’s call.

“We have this consultation dialogue because we need to start the transition right and with that, to be able to take into consideration and address concerns directly from you. But we assure you that as we go along, DSWD Field Office Caraga will continue to improve our systems, especially in the implementation of this new process. On behalf of Regional Director Mari-Flor Dollaga, I extend the Agency’s gratitude to all of you, especially to the mayors who took their time to be with us,” Parajes said.

The consultation dialogue served as a crucial step in ensuring a smooth and effective transition of the program to the new process of delivering services to the vulnerable senior citizens of Caraga.