Nancy: DSWD needs extra P1B for upkeep of care institutions

Senator Nancy Binay has asked the Senate Finance Committee to add an extra P1 billion to the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to support and improve the agency’s activity centers and care institutions for the elderly and abandoned children.

Binay noted that during deliberations into proposed 2018 budget of the DSWD, the current state of government’s social welfare program is “very depressing.”

“Due to the lack of funding, not all these centers can provide the care and support for our elderly and children. As our welfare agency, the DSWD must be capacitated and able to step in to help,” Binay stressed.

Sen. Loren Legarda, chairperson of the Senate finance panel, conceded that the agency’s 71 activity centers nationwide were not allocated capital outlay for its facilities for the past few years.

Sorry state

Legarda even detailed how some DSWD activity centers have patients and residents who sleep on the floors because these centers did not have enough beds.

For instance, Legarda said the GRACES Home for the Elderly in Quezon City has a bed capacity of 200.

Currently, however, it is now home to 285 senior citizens.

The DSWD Reception and Study Center can house up to 505 children but it currently has 765 residents.

“It is really disappointing to learn of the current state of our DSWD centers. The treatment is inhumane. I know we can do something and help them. Why do we allow this to happen?” she pointed out.

Budget hike

Nevertheless, Legarda suggested amendments to the agency’s capital outlay budget for rehabilitation and construction of new buildings and facilities.

Legarda likewise asked for an increase in the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) so the DSWD can supplement the daily operations of the centers.

“This is why we suggested for the P1 billion amendment to the proposed 2018 DSWD budget so that the agency can fund new facilities and activity centers throughout the country,” she said.

“We need this amendment so that our elderly and abandoned children can have nutritious meals thrice a day and they have a comfortable bed to sleep in,” Binay stressed.

“This is our government’s mandate to its people. We need to fill in the gaps. It’s only fitting that we do something to help the elderly and the youth,” she stressed.