P4 million for indigents in 4th district

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) - 7 and the Office of Cebu Fourth District Representative Benhur Salimbangon entered into a memorandum of agreement the other day for the allocation of P4 million from the latter’s Priority Development Assistance Fund.

The MOA, signed by DSWD-7 Director Mercedita Jabagat and Rep. Salimbangon, aims to use the money as financial assistance to individuals in crisis situation in the said district.

DSWD is mandated to provide support to the local government units and other entities in uplifting the lives of the disadvantaged population such as children, youth, women, elderly, persons with disabilities and other individuals/families in crisis situation. DSWD is likewise mandated to implement the Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services.

Under the MOA, Salimbangon or his duly authorized representative shall identify and recommend through a letter of referral the individual in crisis situation who may avail of the benefits of the said program as well as the extent of assistance that shall be provided to them by the DSWD.

The individual wanting to avail of the benefits of the said program shall be accommodated by the congressman’s office provided the following minimum requirements are met: he must be a holder of Benhur Health Card for identification purposes, endorsement letter of the congressman and death or medical certificate and other documents that would indicate the existence of crisis situation.

The office of the congressman shall accommodate all constituents of the Fourth District for as long the minimum requirements are met.

In case no amount of assistance has been indicated in the letter of endorsement, those aged 12 years old and below shall be given P2,000 while those over 12 years old shall be given P3,000.

All payments and releases under the said program shall be made in accordance with existing government accounting and auditing rules and regulations, the MOA reads.

Since 2007, Salimbanagon through his PDAF, allocated at least P30 million for the said DSWD program. (FREEMAN)