DSWD seeks restoration of capital outlay funding for care facilities

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday called on the House of Representatives to restore funding for capital outlay for its care facilities, noting that budget cuts may compromise their quality and maintenance. 

During the House committee on appropriations’ briefing on the proposed budget of the DSWD for next year, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian shared that of the P235.7 billion budget allocated to the DSWD and its attached and supervised agencies, only the Office of the Secretary was allotted a budget of P294.1 million for capital outlay. 

READ: DSWD shuts down Bukidnon care facility over lack of permit

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Gatchalian said that the funding for capital outlay was only granted for its five residential facilities, learning institute in Davao, and warehouse in Iloilo. 

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Other than these projects, he said that there is no capital outlay allocated for infrastructure.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña pointed out the massive budget cut for the agency’s capital outlay and asked Gatchalian how this will affect the agency’s operations.

Gatchalian expressed concern that many of their care facilities are already old, with some of them built 50 years ago. 

“While they are maintained to the best of the ability by our people on the ground, yung mga social worker, house parents, admittedly maraming issues na umuusbong pag luma na ang isang bahay,” Gatchalian said. 

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(While they are maintained to the best of the ability by our people on the ground, the social workers and house parents, admittedly there are many issues arising when the facility is already old.)

He shared that the agency asked the House committee to restore the P800 million budget for its capital outlay, which he noted was removed from the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

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“Sana po maibalik yung aming dinudulog na part of the listing we submitted to the committee kahit yung capital expenditure for the upgrade, upkeep, and maintenance of our facilities for poor, marginalized and vulnerable communities na nakatira sa atin pansamantala or long-term kasi wala na silang pamilya,” he added. 

(We hope that this will be restored as this is part of the listing we submitted to the committee, for the capital expenditure for the upgrade, upkeep, and maintenance of our facilities for poor, marginalized and vulnerable communities seeking temporary or permanent housing.)

Cendaña aired his support for the restoration of budget for the agency’s capital outlay to support its care facilities. 

“This is a very necessary amendment and it has to be done to the NEP at kinakailangang iadjust na,” the lawmaker manifested. 

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(This is a very necessary amendment and it has to be done to the NEP and this has to be adjusted.) /gsg