A recent Pulse Asia survey, conducted between November 26 and December 3, 2024, has revealed that a significant majority of Filipinos find the programs and services offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) easily accessible. The survey, known as ‘Ulat ng Bayan,’ found that 57% of respondents had received assistance from the DSWD, with 73% of those recipients reporting that they accessed these services with ease.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD highlighted the survey results as a testament to the department’s ongoing efforts to enhance the availability and accessibility of its services. Dumlao emphasized that the DSWD aims to continually improve its systems and innovate its approaches to ensure that its services meet the public’s needs effectively.
Dumlao also stressed the importance of maintaining quality standards while striving to make the programs more accessible, particularly for those in dire need. She noted the significance of ensuring that Filipinos across the country are both aware of and able to utilize these programs.
The DSWD’s social protection initiatives, as mentioned in the survey, include the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Sustainable Livelihood Program, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, and various Disaster Response and Early Recovery efforts.
The survey respondents were evenly distributed across the National Capital Region, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Notably, 75% of those who reported easy access to DSWD services were from the Visayas and Mindanao regions.