MANILA – A recent Pulse Asia survey has revealed that a significant majority of Filipinos find the services and programs offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) easily accessible. Conducted between November 26 and December 3, 2024, the survey found that 57 percent of respondents had received assistance from the DSWD, with 73 percent of those recipients reporting ease of access to these services.
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 programs. Dumlao emphasized that the DSWD aims to continually improve its systems and innovate its approaches to better meet public needs.
“We are committed to speeding up access to our programs, particularly for those in need, while maintaining quality standards. It’s crucial that Filipinos across the country are both aware of and able to utilize these programs,” Dumlao stated.
The survey, known as ‘Ulat ng Bayan,’ highlighted several key DSWD initiatives, including the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the Sustainable Livelihood Program, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, and various Disaster Response and Early Recovery efforts.
The respondents were evenly distributed across the National Capital Region, the rest of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Notably, 75 percent of those who reported easy access to DSWD services were from the Visayas and Mindanao regions.