MANILA, Philippines – Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo allayed congressmen’s concern over her memorandum to staff that referral letters from lawmakers bear no weight on the department’s choice of assistance beneficiaries.

During deliberations on the proposed budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development on Tuesday, September 13, congressmen picked up from the tense debate from last week’s first briefing. (READ: Congressmen on DSWD’s ‘anti-padrino’ memo: We hold the money)

On Tuesday Taguiwalo clarified that Memorandum Circular 9, which she issued in August, does not aim to bar district representatives from extending services to the public.

“We are willing to work with the congressmen. Many of you are being approached [by your constituents] for assistance. And we said that we will continue [to receive] referrals from congressmen,” she said.

“MC 9 was not aimed at relegating to the sidelines the prerogatives of the members of this body to give referral letters to their indigent constituents who seek to avail [themselves] of DSWD programs nor was it intended to shut the doors of DSWD cooperation with legislators, government officials, or private individuals. It was, however, aimed at democratizing access to services,” she added.

The DSWD chief clarified that she only released the order to comply with the guidelines released by the Commission on Audit (COA) in March on the treatment of referrals for projects of the national and local government units and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCC).

The COA’s memorandum circular identifies government agencies – such as the DSWD – as the “sole” authority in determining the beneficiaries.

During the first rounds of budget briefing on September 1, lawmakers, including Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, grilled Taguiwalo for the directive. 

Another provision of the memorandum is the order to release assistance funds within local DSWD offices – a condition that congressmen said would burden their constituents.

In last week’s hearing, Fariñas said: “For example, in Ilocos Norte, there is a municipality, Adams, which is two and a half hours away from the capital. If people would go to the regional capital in San Fernando, La Union, it would take another 6 hours.” 

On Tuesday, Taguiwalo addressed the concern, saying that they are open to off-site disbursement as long as the safety of their social workers is ensured.

She also stressed that those beneficiaries claiming the grants must bring all the required documents to prevent going back to releasing centers.

Section 3 of MC 9 states that there will be special guidelines issued for “when and how payment outside DSWD offices/premises may be made.” – Rappler.com