Panayam ni DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian
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00:00 We will talk about cash assistance for Sari-Sari store owners and the additional fund for the 4-piece cash grant.
00:08 We will talk with none other than the Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
00:16 Secretary, good afternoon.
00:17 Hi, Glen. Thank you very much. Thank you very much for having me this afternoon.
00:21 Good afternoon to all those watching your program.
00:24 Secretary, let's start with the aid for Sari-Sari store owners.
00:30 Retailers are the biggest news.
00:33 How about the Sari-Sari store owners who are affected by the price cap on rice?
00:38 When did you start giving this?
00:40 I will just clarify this so that the viewers won't get confused.
00:43 Sari-Sari store owners who have rice.
00:47 Yes.
00:48 Let's not think of Sari-Sari store owners as all of them.
00:51 Although we are helping small Sari-Sari stores,
00:54 this program is the directive of our President to ensure that we can help our small rice retailers
01:01 and Sari-Sari stores that have rice inventories that might be affected by the price cap.
01:08 Just like the small rice retailers we gave earlier,
01:12 each Sari-Sari store that sells rice can receive a 15,000, 1,500, financial aid
01:19 so that they can avoid losing money because of the price cap.
01:24 This started this week and it will continue.
01:27 We are getting the list from the Department of Trade and Industry.
01:31 They will give us the list batch by batch.
01:34 As we speak, these two, the small rice retailers and the Sari-Sari stores that sell rice,
01:40 the DSWD has received almost 100 million in aid.
01:44 That's around 7,000 individual retailers.
01:48 But we expect that to grow while we are still receiving lists from the DTI.
01:54 7,000 out of how many, sir?
01:57 Actually, the DTI is not giving us the entire list.
02:01 Okay.
02:02 It's really batch by batch.
02:03 Their initial forecast is 10,000 but it might grow depending on the submissions from the regions.
02:09 Why are you wondering? Why are you moving?
02:11 Because there are stores that don't have permits and they are included.
02:16 They are also included in this program because the President's goal is
02:20 to help all small business owners who might be affected by the price cap so that they won't have a hard time.
02:29 That's good, SecRex.
02:31 Because we know that information is really vital.
02:34 So, sir, do we have a data on how many Sari-Sari store owners that have rice have received this?
02:41 Well, we started yesterday, Monday.
02:45 Sorry, two days ago, Monday.
02:47 And there are very few.
02:49 We received around 2,000.
02:52 But we expect that to grow faster like what happened to Small Rice Retailers.
02:56 Because the DTI, in helping the DILG, they are really getting it from local government units.
03:02 Because that's where it comes from.
03:03 Now, it's a bit slower because there are more of these that don't have business permits.
03:10 But they are not necessarily illegal.
03:12 I became a mayor so I know that system.
03:14 There are so-called ambulances or small stores, even Sari-Sari stores,
03:21 sometimes there are cities that have ordinances that are only obtained at the barangay level
03:25 with their micro-entrepreneur permit.
03:28 So, it's not necessarily that they don't have a business permit from the city, they are illegal.
03:32 So, you can just imagine what the DTI is doing now.
03:34 They will remove all of that and the DILG will verify it one by one.
03:38 You will see if there is really rice or not.
03:41 Because the registry is Sari-Sari store.
03:43 It's not written there, Sari-Sari store that has rice.
03:46 So, we will do it one by one to make sure that the benefits we are giving are correct.
03:52 That's hard, you need evidence.
03:54 Yes. So, in the guidelines that came out, DTI has expertise.
03:58 And the DILG entered the scene because they are the ones who sanctioned the local government units.
04:03 They are helping the DTI to make the list more polished and beautiful.
04:06 Secretary, please give us an idea.
04:09 I know it's DTI who is collating all of these names.
04:12 But for you, what are the requirements to be qualified for this cash assistance?
04:19 Not only for Sari-Sari store owners, but also for retailers that we haven't given yet.
04:24 I can't speak for a department.
04:27 I might say the wrong things.
04:28 All I know is that you are selling rice and you are a small business owner.
04:32 Sec, how about our budget?
04:35 How much budget have you allocated for this assistance?
04:39 And aside from this budget, for the first aid, are we expecting anything else?
04:46 The budget for this program is not only allocated for them.
04:51 It's a mainstay program of the department.
04:53 We have what we call a sustainable livelihood program.
04:56 Our sustainable livelihood program has been a program of DSWD for a long time.
05:00 It's our flagship program.
05:01 What is the SLP or sustainable livelihood program?
05:04 First, it's for those who want to do business informally.
05:07 Remember, our department, our mandate is the poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalized.
05:12 So, those who want to graduate in four Ps, those who want to find a job so they won't go back to poverty,
05:19 our small business owners are really given sustainable livelihood grants by the department.
05:24 In the department, the line item is around 6 billion.
05:27 When this program started, there was a shortage of 5 billion.
05:31 It's an ongoing concern.
05:33 It just so happens that our department used this program to help small rice retailers.
05:39 There are two types of this.
05:41 There are those who will start a business, they can receive 15,000.
05:45 And those who don't want to lose their working capital because of the unexpected events like this price cap.
05:52 So, those are the two mandates of this program.
05:54 If I can give you a context, when the Marawi siege happened, we used this program.
05:59 When the Boracay lockdown happened, we used this program.
06:03 When the COVID lockdown happened, we used this program.
06:06 Because this is unique to this program.
06:09 There are many other livelihood programs.
06:12 We are the only ones who are able to help the small, informal, marginalized, and vulnerable.
06:17 That's what we're talking about.
06:19 Earlier, Secretary, you were helping because the focus is on rice retailers, in the sari-sari stores.
06:25 But we're not just talking about these kinds of informal businesses or sectors.
06:30 Can you mention some of the examples?
06:32 Give us examples so that our viewers can hear.
06:36 Nina, over the past couple of years, this SLP program has been running.
06:40 The types of businesses that are helping are different.
06:42 Not just the sari-sari stores.
06:44 In fact, we have a line that helps the farmers in Quezon.
06:49 We have, like what you're wearing now, the native fabrics that are being sold.
06:54 We know that it's slowly disappearing because there's no attention that can be given.
07:00 So, that's part of what we're helping.
07:02 We now have small transpo co-ops.
07:05 Not co-ops, but small transpo groups that want to be tricycles.
07:11 Even though the grant is small, it's just a start.
07:14 That's how diversified the businesses are that we're helping.
07:18 We also have, for example, in disaster areas, like in Siargao, the ones that are weaving and weaving.
07:24 That's how the businesses that are being helped by DSWD are.
07:29 Now, maybe a lot of people are still saying, "Isn't that DTI?"
07:33 Quite the contrary.
07:34 These small businesses can't just go to DTI, the Small Business Corporation.
07:39 Because they're not a corporation.
07:41 They're not a co-op.
07:42 Not all of them need to start from the informal.
07:45 So, the goal of DSWD, in the five years that they're in our program,
07:49 we're continuously monitoring them, and we're not giving them 15,000 just one time.
07:53 But after the year three, you'll monitor them.
07:56 "Does your business earn a little?
07:58 Have you been able to employ your colleagues?"
08:01 So, we'll give you another grant.
08:03 And then, on the year five, why five years?
08:05 Because our goal in five years is to put you in DTI, the Small Business Corporation.
08:11 This is what the President always says, "Whole of government approach in solving poverty."
08:15 That's great to know, Secretary.
08:17 For example, the workers in small places, in barangays,
08:22 when they join forces, they only help with reading.
08:27 Reading, yes.
08:28 Right? Those things, the rugs.
08:29 You can help them.
08:30 Yes, that's how we're helping them.
08:32 But part of our mandate is to also upskill them.
08:36 There's nothing wrong with reading.
08:37 But if you're just knitting, why not venture into more added value products?
08:41 Like what we're talking about, your suit.
08:43 There are so many local weavers and sewers at home that they might have gotten stuck in reading.
08:51 But there are still many horizons there, like knitting.
08:55 It can go bad, for example.
08:57 So what we're doing there is we're tying up with Tesla for upskilling their potential customers.
09:05 For instance, it's not bad to be a Sari-Sari store owner, but we also know that there are limitations to the number.
09:11 Skills-based.
09:13 That's why our partner with Tesla, like the construction of a lamp, for instance,
09:17 it's a waste if it's not taken care of.
09:19 Even though we're encouraging them to do business, we're also encouraging them to do business practically.
09:24 That's what will sustain them, not what's available now and gone tomorrow.
09:28 That's good. How can we apply for this grant?
09:31 It's simple.
09:32 Go to the DSWD's webpage.
09:34 The requirements are there.
09:35 But if we don't have internet access, it's a waste.
09:37 All of us have internet access.
09:39 You can go to any field office of the DSWD, our regional office and provincial office.
09:45 The SLP office is there.
09:47 They can give you the basic requirements.
09:49 And the requirements are simple.
09:51 First, you need to be on the list of poor countrymen.
09:55 You need to be there.
09:56 What we do there is, we have a national database called List Tahanan.
10:02 You need to be there.
10:03 Now, if you're not there, because the list is not perfect,
10:06 we go to the Tahanan and we evaluate the status of the countrymen.
10:11 After that, we'll help you develop a business plan.
10:16 You might think it's complicated, but we need to start the discipline that if you want to do business,
10:22 you need to have a plan first, not just a few things.
10:24 That's the whole program of the SLP.
10:26 You can't just do what you see now, but what you don't do tomorrow.
10:29 It's great because if you think of DSWD as aid, it's all about aid.
10:33 This is proof that sometimes we help ourselves and create ways that we don't depend on the government.
10:42 We talked to the new president of our department, and he said that our department has a long name.
10:48 Our first name is Social Welfare, and our last name is Development.
10:52 Sometimes, they just call us Social Welfare, but we have a Development Arm.
10:56 Our Development Arm, like the SLP, is a way to really get rid of the poverty of our countrymen.
11:03 It's not fast, but it can be done if all government agencies are helped.
11:10 But of course, the reality is that there are still some who need help in the beginning.
11:16 Like my next question, Secretary, in this discussion,
11:21 what is the update on the request of DSWD to fund the raising of four-piece cash grants
11:29 under the Conditional Cash Transfer Program of the government?
11:33 First, I want to clarify that I know there is a misunderstanding about what a four-piece is.
11:39 Many people look at it as a grant.
11:41 Yes, it's a grant.
11:43 But if you look at it, it's an investment in our human capital.
11:46 We always say that our people are the biggest asset of our country.
11:50 But if we can't give them a head start, it's a waste.
11:53 We are not unlocking the value of our human resource.
11:57 So I'd like to look at this as more of an investment to human capital.
12:00 Because there is a condition.
12:02 If you are given a grant, your child needs to be in school.
12:05 And you need to be able to get early childhood vaccines,
12:09 the things that are needed in the health center.
12:11 So that's what I want to clarify.
12:13 Because I think the four-piece is getting a bad rap all the time.
12:16 But in reality, the bad rap emanates from lack of understanding of what the program is.
12:22 This program's goal is to cut the poverty that is being passed from the father to the son,
12:26 intergenerational poverty.
12:28 Number two, the DSWD supports the Congress' plans to increase the assistance that is being given to them.
12:35 We 100% support that.
12:37 In fact, our National Advisory Council, which is formed by various agencies,
12:41 has already passed a resolution supporting it.
12:43 But of course, because it's budget season, we leave it to the Congress and the Senate to approve this measure.
12:51 And I believe that a lot of people are participating in our four-piece program.
12:55 As a follow-up to what Craig said, what will be the future of the DSWD
13:01 if it is not able to provide additional funds for the four-piece cash grants?
13:06 Well, as it is right now, our four-piece beneficiaries are resilient by themselves.
13:12 They are looking for different ways to continue their children's education.
13:18 If we look at the four-piece, we should not see it as the only anti-poverty program of the government.
13:25 You look at it from the whole spectrum, there are other programs like the DepEd, free education,
13:32 CHED, free college tuition fee, the DA for farmers.
13:37 It's a whole spectrum of anti-poverty programs that we should look into together holistically.
13:43 Sometimes, they think that if they are going to fight poverty, the DSWD is the only one to do it.
13:47 No, the whole government is joining forces.
13:50 So, of course, our prayer and wish to our lawmakers is to grant our wish and recommendation to increase the grants.
14:00 But we also know that our fiscal spending is tight.
14:04 But we believe that the four-piece program will still be successful
14:07 if we are able to help other programs of the government and join them.
14:12 Can we know how much is being received and how much is the amount you want to give?
14:17 It's different. It's an average.
14:19 Because their health grants are P700 and they have an education grant for a maximum of three children.
14:25 So, it varies.
14:26 But on an average, you get probably around P3,500 plus another P600 of RISE assistance.
14:32 But this is supplemental in nature.
14:35 We know that this is not enough.
14:37 That's why we are encouraging them to look for other sources of income.
14:40 That's why we have an SLP program that is a sibling of the four-piece program.
14:44 Okay.
14:45 Okay, Secrex, we are one with you.
14:47 You can do it in collaboration.
14:49 Bureau of Plant Industry, maybe we can sell plants.
14:53 Actually, backyard gardening is something that we are working with the DA on.
14:57 Because we know that if it's hard, the security is at stake.
15:01 And self-sustaining households are now being proven as the way to go in first world countries like Norway.
15:09 Yes.
15:10 Imagine that they are rich and they are doing that.
15:13 And we have a lot of land that we can at least plant in our backyard.
15:18 Then we can also venture into that.
15:20 What if there is no space?
15:22 Because that's the most common, houses are already built, people who live in condos.
15:26 They don't have space or soil to plant.
15:29 Well, even in concrete pavements, we can use containers in rooftops.
15:37 Sir, on another note.
15:39 So, if they live in a condo, they are no longer our client.
15:41 That's right.
15:42 They are part of the mandate of the court.
15:44 There are houses that are like condo type.
15:46 Yes, in Valenzuela, there are.
15:47 They've done hydroponics.
15:49 Yes.
15:50 Sir, Valenzuela is active in urban gardening.
15:53 Yes.
15:54 Sir, on another note.
15:55 Sir, how was the investigation in a religious group called Socorro Surigal del Norte
16:02 that is already collecting cash grants from its members?
16:06 Glenn, right now, we are still investigating.
16:10 The investigation needs to be more thorough.
16:12 So, what our regional office is doing is talking to the four-piece beneficiaries
16:16 and also those who are getting assistance to individuals in crisis situations.
16:21 We are investigating it well if there are still people who are still escaping.
16:24 But one thing for sure, for the beneficiaries,
16:28 no government official can escape their benefit.
16:34 So, right now, the teams are still in the field, tracking down one by one,
16:39 and making sense of what's happening.
16:41 But the role of the DSWD is more important because we are the social protection.
16:46 We know that there are minorities who asked for help.
16:51 So, right now, they are in the protective custody of the local government unit,
16:54 but they are being followed by the DSWD.
16:57 Our role is twofold.
16:58 Making sure that the victim survivors are taken care of while the investigations are ongoing.
17:04 But at the same time, looking at the allegations that the beneficiaries are collecting.
17:09 Based on your investigation, what is this Socorro Bayanihan Services?
17:14 And what is the truth that there is sexual violence against children
17:18 that is being done by this group?
17:21 Nina, we are not the lead in the investigation.
17:24 The DSWD is more on the social protection.
17:28 Making sure that we rescue, we rehabilitate, and we reintegrate the victims.
17:35 So, that's where we noticed.
17:37 And I don't want to talk about something that I don't know.
17:40 I will just wait for the local government unit, the NBI, and the police who are investigating.
17:46 We have existing data on the DSWD,
17:52 on how many four-piece members are possible to be a member of the alleged group.
17:57 And what is our role here in the case of the cash grants that they received,
18:02 while the investigation is ongoing?
18:06 Right now, Glenn, we are still in the process of tariff.
18:08 Of course, there is an angle that they will not say if they are with or not.
18:14 But one thing for sure is, we will continue to investigate
18:18 and make sure that their grants will go to them.
18:21 Because it is in their conditionality.
18:24 If the grants did not go to the education of the child,
18:27 did not go to the child's health care, you can be removed from that program.
18:31 We reiterate to the beneficiaries that this group may be a part of it.
18:37 But I don't want to talk first because we are really investigating,
18:40 we are still investigating our group to find out how many are included in that group.
18:45 Okay. Secretary, let's talk about aid.
18:48 What is the effort of the DSWD to bring help to our countrymen in an easier way?
18:55 You are promoting the expansion of digitalization in providing aid or digital aid.
19:02 No, Glenn, this is not an idea.
19:04 This is not our beloved President.
19:06 You will hear him always saying,
19:08 "The world is different, but our agencies need to join in the change."
19:12 And that includes digitalization.
19:14 When you already have GCash, Paymaya, we all use that.
19:17 But you can still see in the departments like us,
19:20 the payouts are manual. You will be dismayed.
19:22 So right now, what are we doing?
19:23 You know, digitalization, it is nice to use that word, it is high-tech.
19:27 But digitalization has no account if you do not streamline the processes first.
19:31 Make sure of the requirements, not again and again.
19:33 Make sure that there are not too many hack banks.
19:36 Not like you will just upload the requirements,
19:39 but 50 requirements will be uploaded.
19:41 So we have noticed that, simplifying the forms, reducing the number of steps,
19:45 streamlining the requirements.
19:47 I want to say this, I always say this again and again.
19:50 Secretary Erwin started on the requirements side.
19:53 He has already done everything that can be done.
19:55 So I am done there, I will just continue that.
19:58 Then we are now working on the forms and we are working on the steps.
20:01 At least on the requirements side,
20:03 he has already removed the requirements that are not necessary.
20:06 So once you have streamlined that,
20:08 we can now access the aid through smartphones or through our portal.
20:12 In fact, we have talked about the coming days of GCash
20:16 because there is a different avenue,
20:18 why would we create our own app if we can just go to the Gmall or the Maya marketplace.
20:23 So we are looking at these ventures to make it faster.
20:25 But one thing for sure, our services cannot be done manually.
20:29 So, what do you think, Seth, when will the digital aid be implemented?
20:34 And how about the monitoring and security of its database?
20:39 Okay, two things.
20:40 We have non-cash aid that we are providing,
20:42 that is the guarantee letters.
20:44 When we have a memorandum of agreement with hospitals,
20:47 we are not providing cash to people, but guarantee letters.
20:50 It's good as cash.
20:51 We will start with that because there is no money coming out of that,
20:54 it is more foolproof.
20:55 We are about to pilot the guarantee letter system that is purely contactless
21:01 in hopefully 45 days' time.
21:04 Now, if that is perfect, you will forget about the cash.
21:07 Because remember, in government rules,
21:09 when you give cash, there are COA rules that people will go,
21:13 people will sign,
21:15 if not, you will thumbmark, you will take a picture,
21:17 and the money is still included.
21:19 So I talked to COA, and the answer of our COA chairman,
21:23 they are open to sign and sign their rules,
21:26 as long as we show them their template.
21:28 So we will start with the non-cash aid of the DSWD.
21:34 So these are the guarantee letters?
21:36 Yes, that are used by public and private hospitals.
21:39 It's good as cash, but it's just paper.
21:40 Okay, is that like a QR?
21:42 Now, it's paper, but that's the concept, just a QR.
21:45 So what we thought of in the process is,
21:47 you apply on our portal, you upload the basic requirements,
21:50 which is like, for instance, your hospital bill.
21:53 Then, in a couple of hours, our social workers will get back to you
21:57 if you have your QR code.
21:59 The hospital also has a copy, so when you go to the hospital,
22:01 they scan it, and they know how much your credit line is.
22:04 But we have one step further that we are doing.
22:07 We know that the national ID is just around the corner.
22:10 So we are working on that in the field,
22:12 so that we can also make sure that we can help with the authentication
22:15 and duplication of beneficiaries.
22:18 So there are a lot of characters, but the President always says,
22:21 "Work as a team. It's not a one-man show."
22:24 And speaking of, this is still a food stamp program.
22:29 Is this cashless?
22:31 Yes, first of all, the aid that will be given is food credits,
22:35 like in other countries, we will not give it in cash.
22:38 So every beneficiary will receive 3,000 food credits,
22:42 and those food credits are 50% on carbohydrates,
22:44 30% on protein, 20% on fiber or healthy fats.
22:48 They will go to the accredited stores,
22:50 and our priority there are the President's employees,
22:53 so that we can also help our farmers.
22:56 Now, they will just choose from that family food group,
22:58 so if it's carbs, rice, sweet potatoes, noodles, or whatever.
23:03 Then they will receive digital cards each,
23:06 and their digital benefit card, electronic benefit transfer cards,
23:09 will be used when they shop.
23:13 Now, we are excited about this program because it will be piloted.
23:16 It will help our food-poor Filipino families.
23:19 Let me make it clear, many people may think that we are all poor.
23:23 The government's funds are limited,
23:25 and we will target the so-called food poor, the poorest of the poor.
23:29 This is the 1 million Filipino families
23:31 who do not earn more than 8,000 pesos a month.
23:34 So let me make it clear, this early, we have to communicate properly
23:36 who are the beneficiaries, because many people may think,
23:39 "We wish, but we cannot do the 'we wish' all this time."
23:43 They are the first beneficiaries, but the second beneficiaries are
23:46 the small and medium enterprises,
23:48 the stores that will be accredited where they can buy.
23:51 And the third is the farmers.
23:53 Because this is electronic, it has a scoop system
23:56 that looks into the consuming patterns of our fellow Filipinos.
24:00 We will give you a glimpse of what our families eat
24:03 so that you can tell the farmers what to plant.
24:06 And if you have excess, we can add that to the menu,
24:10 and no one will be affected by the food.
24:12 We learned a lot from you yesterday.
24:15 And of course, sir, we are very open to your collaboration.
24:19 Sir, please send a message to our beloved secretaries,
24:22 to our fellow Filipinos who are watching our program today.
24:25 Well, first, to our fellow Filipinos, to Glenn, to Ninia,
24:28 thank you very much for inviting me to our program.
24:32 We at DSWD believe that the new Philippines is a Philippines where no one is hungry.
24:38 So, please watch our programs so that we can show the action of the government to fight hunger.
24:44 But my request to you is, let's not listen to just anyone,
24:48 because we are always the victims of DSWD.
24:50 If you have questions and suggestions,
24:53 don't hesitate to go to our official social media pages.
24:57 Because we are always the victims, and our fellow Filipinos are always the victims of fake news
25:02 about the assistance and programs of DSWD.
25:04 But it's good that you are here in person.
25:07 We really appreciate it.
25:08 And it's good that you explained to our fellow Filipinos
25:10 what are the projects of DSWD.
25:14 Well, Ninia, again, thank you very much.
25:15 I'm just a neighbor.
25:16 I can come by anytime you invite me.
25:18 Thank you very much for your time,
25:21 DSWD Secretary Rex Gachalian.