Samar PSWDO requests the transfer of Social Welfare Development Funds to her office

By EMY C. BONIFACIO, Samar News.com
August 24, 2010

CATBALOGAN CITY – The Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer of Samar, Ms. Luz Tacal, requests that the Social Welfare Development Funds amounting to Thirteen Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php13,500,000.00) be transferred from the Office of the Governor to the PSWDO. The request was aired during the deliberations conducted by the Committee on Finance and Appropriations and the Commitee on Laws where the Department Heads were invited to defend the appropriated programs included in the Annual Investment Plan of their respective agencies in the provincial government of Samar.

Samar Social Welfare Officer Luz Tacal (left) telling the committee about the non availability of social funds in her office during the previous administration.

In attendance during the said hearing were Dr. Cernal, Dr. Mabulay and Ms. Luz Tacal, as well as the members of the Local Finance Committee. According to Ms. Tacal, she's appealing for the transfer of the said appropriations to her agency to ensure a better delivery of services to their clients.

Tacal mentioned of the following appropriations: Livelihood - P1 million; Scholarship grants - P7 million; Financial Assistance - P3 million; Day Care Services - P1 million; Maintenance of the Women & Children Protection Unit (WCPU) and ATIP Centers - P1 million; and Capability Building, wards and trainings of Staff and employees - P500 thousand. "These are essential services, but we cannot maximize its implementation because under the present budget, the funds are under the Social Funds of the governor." explained Ms. Tacal.

Samar PSWDO is one of the most criticized agencies in the province for its inability to effectively respond to the social needs of the Samareños. The Office has been observed to be ineffective in implementing socio-economic programs because of their inability to access funds. Most financial aids are coursed through the governor and the beneficiaries are not properly identified.

The Committee has noted on the request and commented on the status of the various programs that the PSWDO has undertaken in the past years. Hon. Sermense commented on the meager funds appropriated for the social services compared to other programs. "How can people uplift their living conditions when their needs are not prioritized? There is a need to intensify the livelihood programs and yet, look at the appropriations? Will it be enough to help the Samarnons?" were a few of the questions raised by Sermense.

The Committee is now preparing a report based on the observations and findings and is due for submission on the next session. The approval or the disapproval of the Annual Investment Plan and the Annual Budget will be dependent on the committee report.