MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has launched the ‘Kaagapay’ Donations Portal, a new online platform designed to streamline the donation process and ensure that contributions reach their intended recipients directly, without passing through the DSWD. This initiative was announced by Assistant Secretary Ana Maria Paz Rafael of the DSWD’s Partnership Building and Resource Mobilization Office (PBRMO) in a recent news release.
The ‘Kaagapay’ portal aims to simplify the donation process for donors, making it more convenient and efficient. The platform integrates popular payment gateways such as Maya and GCash, allowing private sector donors to process their contributions seamlessly. According to Asst. Secretary Rafael, the primary goal of the portal is to facilitate donations for various DSWD initiatives, including Disaster Response Relief Operations, Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCFs), Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs), and a directory of Local Government Units (LGUs) involved in humanitarian efforts.
SWDAs encompass a range of private organizations, non-government organizations (NGOs), and civil society organizations (CSOs) that deliver crucial social welfare and development services to vulnerable populations. The ‘Kaagapay’ portal features a dashboard that provides real-time updates on the total funds raised and the number of donors, ensuring transparency in every transaction. This feature allows the public to monitor the flow of donations and the impact of their contributions.
The portal also offers detailed information about the work of SWDAs, including their history, the sectors they serve, and the specific services they provide. This transparency not only builds trust among donors but also helps lesser-known foundations gain visibility and attract more support. Asst. Secretary Rafael emphasized the importance of providing a platform for these organizations to connect with potential donors.
For disaster response efforts, the ‘Kaagapay’ portal exclusively accepts cash donations through digital transactions. This policy is in place to avoid the distribution of low-quality perishable goods in disaster-stricken areas, ensuring that aid is both timely and effective. In contrast, in-kind donations can be sent directly to DSWD-run CRCFs or SWDAs, with the portal facilitating connections to partner courier services from the logistics industry. Donors are responsible for the delivery costs, which can be conveniently processed through digital transactions.
The launch of the ‘Kaagapay’ Donations Portal is part of the DSWD’s digital initiatives unveiled during its 74th anniversary celebration from February 17-21, themed ‘Bawat Pamilyang Pilipino ay Mahalaga sa Bagong Pilipinas.’ This theme underscores the DSWD’s commitment to serving every Filipino family in building a new Philippines.