Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo recently released Memorandum Circular No. 9 (MC 9) titled ‘Supplemental Guidelines on the Implementation of Protective Services Program” (PSP).  It is dated August 1, 2016, and has already been circulated to the entire DSWD body for strict implementation and adherence.

The Office of the Sec. Taguiwalo has been receiving various informal complaints and requests for clarifications on her new policies and directives on the implementation of the DSWD’s PSP in relation to the Supreme Court (SC) decision declaring the unconstitutionality of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). In response, Sec. Taguiwalo released MC9.

MC9 is being issued to:

1. Guide the DSWD Field Offices (FOs) nationwide in the implementation of the PSP, particularly their treatment of referral letters from individuals, groups of individuals, or organization, including public officials whether national or local executives, legislators, members of the judiciary, or constitutional commission;
2. To ensure adherence to the decision of the Supreme Court which declared the PDAF unconstitutional and the Commission on Audit Memorandum;
3. To enhance the DSWD’s performance of its mandate as the government’s frontline agency in social protection;
4. To uphold the dignity of DSWD social workers and personnel involved in the implementation of the PSP, as well as ensure their physical safety; and
5. To promote the fair and equitable implementation of the PSP.

Sec. Taguiwalo explained that MC9 covers the implementation of PSP by all FOs and offices, bureaus, services, and units (OBSUs) that are, or in the future may be tasked to implement the PSP.

In the MC9, it is clarified once and for all that:

1. Referral letters from individuals, groups of individuals, or organization, including public officials whether national or local executives, legislators, members of the judiciary, or constitutional commission are NOT integral to the implementation of the PSP;
2. While referral letters may be considered, they are NOT binding on DSWD social workers or personnel tasked to evaluate the qualifications of beneficiaries; and
3. The DSWD retains SOLE AUTHORITY to determine the beneficiaries of the program pursuant to existing guidelines. As such, DSWD social workers or personnel tasked to evaluate the qualification of beneficiaries are enjoined to strictly adhere to MC9 and to existing circulars prescribing guidelines for the implementation of the PSP.

Sec. Taguiwalo also said that to ensure the safety of DSWD workers and personnel, cash disbursements shall be conducted only within the premises of the DSWD offices.

“There will be special guidelines issued when and how payment outside DSWD offices/premises may be made.  Also, those DSWD staff involved in implementing the PSP are required to report to the Office of the Secretary any threat or attempt to pressure or circumvent the provisions of MC9 so I and the appropriate DSWD office can take the necessary action and provide support to the DSWD social worker or personnel under threat,” she said. #