Around 7.5 million Filipinos are expected to benefit from the Targeted Cash Transfer (TCT) program of the government following the release of additional funds by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian said in a statement Friday that the agency is now ready to facilitate the P500 cash transfers to assist millions of beneficiaries cope with the continuing effects of high inflation.
The DBM announced on Tuesday the approval of the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) amounting to P7.6 billion for the continuation of the DSWD-TCT program.
“The DSWD has set mechanisms to implement the TCT program in a timely manner. We hope that through this additional funding, we will be able to help our kababayan (countrymen) for their daily subsistence,” DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Romel Lopez, said.
It can be recalled that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. instructed the concerned agencies to continue the implementation of the TCT program to assist vulnerable and needy citizens, who are in most need of support from the government.
Gatchalian has expressed the department’s appreciation to the TCT Inter-Agency Committee, that includes the DSWD, DBM, the Department of Finance, and the National Economic Development Authority for prioritizing the budget allocation for the continuous implementation of the program.
Meanwhile, Gatchalian said the digital transformation initiative will enable the DSWD to become a more agile and innovative organization, better equipped to meet the needs of its beneficiaries and stakeholders.
He said the DSWD is making significant strides in using this new technology, which he described as a “game changer”.
“We understand that our success depends on the talent we bring on board. We are committed to providing an environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and collaboration. We want to attract top-notch talents who share our vision and are passionate about positively impacting people’s lives,” Gatchalian explained.
The DSWD’s Information and Communications Technology Management Services (ICTMS) is behind the digitalization effort.
Julius Gorospe, who heads the ICTMS, said the move towards digitalization will streamline the department’s operations and improve its delivery of services.
“This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s mandate to accelerate digitalization across all government agencies,” said Gorospe, who is also Special Assistant to the Secretary for E-Governance and Digital Infrastructure.
Gorospe said the DSWD’s digital transformation covers the entire organization, from front-line service delivery to back-end support functions.
“The department is embracing modern technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data analytics to enable it to become more agile and responsive to the needs of the people,” Gorospe said.
