Implementing Guidelines and Institutional Arrangements of the DSWD's Lingap Para Sa Mahihirap Program Fund

May 10, 1999

DSWD DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 10-99

 

WHEREAS, "Kasaganaan para sa lahat, lalo na sa mahihirap" is the underlying philosophy of the Estrada Administration's development agenda;

WHEREAS, the 1999 General Appropriations Act provides for P300 Million under the Lingap Para Sa Mahihirap Program Fund "to be used exclusively to satisfy the minimum basic needs of poor communities and the disadvantaged sectors" by the Department of Social Welfare and Development through Protective Services for Children and Youth; prcd

WHEREAS, the 1999 General Appropriations Act provides that Congress must be consulted before funds can be released under the Lingap Para Sa Mahihirap;

WHEREAS, consultations by the DSWD with Congress have resulted in strong recommendations to emphasize day care centers among Protective Services for Children and Youth;

WHEREAS, the Government promotes the principle of decentralized and multi-sectoral policy formulation and program implementation in the pursuit of national development objectives;

WHEREAS, to ensure that the Lingap fund is fully utilized to support the poverty eradication program of Government, President Joseph Ejercito Estrada issued on 12 April 1999 Executive Order No. 92 providing for the guidelines and institutional arrangements for the Lingap Para Sa Mahihirap Program Fund;

NOW THEREFORE, the following general Department implementing guidelines and institutional arrangements for the DSWD Lingap Para Sa Mahihirap Protective Services for Children and Youth Program Fund are hereby issued:

SECTION 1. The DSWD shall submit to the policy oversight authority of the National Anti-Poverty Commission in matters related to the Lingap Fund.

SECTION 2. The administration of the DSWD Lingap Para Sa Mahihirap Protective Services for Children and Youth Program Fund shall be governed by the following principles:

1. The DSWD shall target the 100 poorest families per province and city identified by the Local Government Units and the barangays identified by the National Security Council as priority beneficiaries of its Protective Services for Children and Youth under the Lingap Para sa Mahihirap Fund. It shall target as next priority the localities identified by individual legislators.

2. The DSWD shall build into its project design the necessary information, education, communication and social preparation activities to ensure that target beneficiaries are ready to participate in our program.

3. The DSWD shall, as far as practicable, converge services together with other Implementing Agencies in urban and rural areas where the National Housing Authority and Local Water Utilities Administration have targeted their Projects.

SECTION 3. The DSWD Lingap Para sa Mahihirap Technical Working Group shall provide administrative and technical support to the DSWD Project Advisory Board created herein for its Lingap Para sa Mahihirap Protective Services for Children and Youth Program.

SECTION 4. The DSWD hereby creates a Project Advisory Board for the Lingap Para sa Mahihirap Protective Services for Children and Youth Program, to determine the following:

1. Policies and procedures for incorporation in the Implementing Department Guidelines contained herein;

2. Target beneficiaries identified in cooperation with Local Government Units and concerned legislators;

3. List of project sites and projects to be implemented in each project site;

4. Implementing and Support Agencies for each project;

5. Information, education and communication programs for the social preparation of beneficiaries, if necessary; and

6. Project monitoring and evaluation system.

The Board shall be composed of:

1. The Secretary of the DSWD, as Board Chair;

2. Three NAPC Sectoral Representatives or their alternates, to be designed by the NAPC Vice-Chairperson for the Private Sector;

3. Representatives from the Social Welfare and Development Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives; and

4. The Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries of the DSWD or their alternates. prcd

The Board shall ensure that the Social Welfare and Development Committees in the Senate or House of Representatives are consulted and their inputs considered in the identification of project sites and beneficiaries and the allocation of program funds. The Board shall likewise consult with individual legislators, as the need arises, including those whose districts do not cover the 100 poorest families in each province and city. The inputs of individual legislators whose districts do not cover the 100 poorest families in each province and city shall be considered although the allocation of program funds for their districts shall be less than the allocation for the 100 poorest families in every province and city.

SECTION 5. The Lingap Fund Office is hereby designated to assist the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development in managing the Lingap Para sa Mahihirap Protective Services for Children and Youth Fund. The Office shall report directly to the Secretary of the DSWD, and shall have the following functions:

1. Enforce the Implementing Guidelines for the Lingap Para sa Mahihirap Protective Services for Children and Youth Program.

2. Ensure that project proposals submitted for approval satisfy the minimum requirements set by the Implementing Guidelines;

3. Develop a menu of projects that are within the DSWD mandate, but can be adapted to the peculiar needs of target beneficiaries and/or localities. To facilitate project development, such project prototypes may be derived from successful experiences of the DSWD, other national agencies or corporations, local government units, non-government organizations, and other sources;

4. Facilitate the release and monitor utilization of program funds, as well as oversee the progress of projects being implemented under the DSWD Lingap Fund;

5. Prepare quarterly feedback reports on the status of the DSWD Lingap Fund, to be rendered to the NAPC on or before the 30^th of the month following each quarter.

The menu shall prioritize the establishment, maintenance and/or operation of day care centers unless the respective Local Government Executives and/or members of Congress who have jurisdiction over the target localities recommend another type of protective service for children or youth, in which case their input shall be considered.

SECTION 6. The DSWD shall allocate an administrative cost of not more than P15 Million, subject to accounting and auditing rules and regulations. The DSWD Advisory Board shall formulate separate guidelines for the utilization of the administration cost.

SECTION 7. The DSWD Project Advisory Board shall recommend the implementing Guidelines contained herein, for approval by the NAPC Program Advisory Committee through a Resolution as soon as practicable. Upon approval, these Implementing Guidelines shall be published by the DSWD in at least one paper of national circulation.

SECTION 8. Together with the NAPC Program Advisory Committee, the DSWD Project Advisory Board for the Lingap Para sa Mahihirap Protective Services for Children and Youth Program shall undertake a periodic review of the Implementing Guidelines and agree on any necessary revisions.

SECTION 9. This Department Order shall take effect immediately.

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

Vice President & DSWD Secretary

Republic of the Philippines

PROJECT ADVISORY BOARD

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

Chair, DSWD Program Advisory Board

Vice President, Republic of the Philippines

Secretary, DSWD

(SGD.) REP. VIDA V. ESPINOSA

Member

Chairperson, Committee on Social Services

(SGD.) JOHN O. OSMEÑA

Chairman, Committee on Finance

(SGD.) RIZI OPIANA

Member

Alternate Commissioner, NAPC Children Sector

(SGD.) ARNOLD OBINA

Member

Commissioner, NAPC Youth and Students Sector

(SGD.) BELINDA C. MANAHAN

Member

Undersecretary for Management

DSWD

(SGD.) LOURDES G. BALANON

Member

Assistant Secretary for Programs, DSWD

(SGD.) FELICIDAD L. VILLAREAL

Member

Undersecretary for Policies, Plans and Programs,

DSWD

(SGD.) REP. FLORENCIO ABAD

Member

Vice-Chairperson, Committee on Appropriations

(SGD.) REP. ROAN LIBARIOS

Member

Chairperson, Committee on Poverty Alleviation

(SGD.) SEN. TERESITA AQUINO-ORETA

Chairperson, Committee on Youth Women and Family Relations

(SGD.) PILIMPINAS CONDING

Member

Commissioner, NAPC Senior Citizens Sector

(SGD.) CESAR CHAVEZ

Commissioner, National Youth Commission

(SGD.) LUWALHATI F. PABLO

Member

Undersecretary for Field Operations

DSWD

(SGD.) RUTH F. LAYUG

Member

Assistant Secretary for Management

(SGD.) RHODA F. YAP

Member

Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations

DSWD

(SGD.) CELIA C. YANGCO

Member

Assistant Secretary for Field Operations

DSWD

Attachment A

SUBJECT : Program and Financial Guidelines for DSWD Lingap Para Sa Mahihirap Program

Pursuant to Section 6 and 7 of the DSWD Department Order (D.O.) No. 10 s. 1999, the following guidelines are hereby issued:

A. PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROJECT ASSISTANCE

Protective Services for children and youth refers to the provision of immediate interventions to a child/youth (below 30 years of age; NAPC defn.) to ensure protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation. These services are developmental, preventive and rehabilitative in nature.

The following are the menu for protective services for children and youth for implementation in the identified priority target areas:

PROVISION OF AUGMENTATION FUND SUPPORT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A DAY CARE SERVICE

1.1. Description

Day Care Service is the provision of supplementary parental care for parents who find it difficult to fully take care of their children during part of the day or the night due to work or some other reasons. It is also an integral component of the child's basic rights to survival, protection, participation and development.

 

The service is in pursuance of Republic Act 6972 or the "Barangay-Level-Total Development and Protection of Children Act" which provides for a Day Care Center in every Barangay.

1.2. Augmentation Fund Support

Augmentation fund can be utilized for any or a combination of the following purposes:

• Purchase of supplies and materials for the setting-up repair, upgrading and operationalization of Day Care Center.

• Food-for-Work/Cash-for-Work for Parents/volunteers involved in the repair, upgrading and setting up of a Day Care Center.

• Purchase of Program materials such as educational toys, storybooks, play fixtures and other reference materials.

• Operations of a center such as subsidies of Day Care Worker/Aide.

• Capability building activities such as trainings, etc.

PROVISION OF AUGMENTATION FUND SUPPORT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHILD/YOUTH CRISIS SERVICES

2.1 Description

The Child/Youth Crisis Service is a provision of integrated services which involve the provision of immediate medico, legal and psycho-social services to children/youth that require protection and whose conditions demonstrate observable evidence of injurious effects of the failure to meet their basic needs but not limited, to abandonment, neglect, sexual abuse, exploitation, maltreatment, etc. The service is usually provided in a designated center staffed by 3 Social Workers, 1 Clerk, Community Volunteers (preferably the members of the local council for the protection of children/youth).

2.3. Augmentation Fund Support

Augmentation fund support can be utilized for any or combination of the following purposes:

• Purchase of supplies and materials for the setting-up, repair, upgrading and operationalization of a Crisis Center.

• Food-for-Work/Cash-for-Work for Parents/volunteers involved in the repair, upgrading and setting up of a Crisis Center.

• Purchase of Program materials such as therapeutic toys/books/games play fixtures and other reference materials.

• Operations of a center such as subsidies of Crisis Center Worker/Aide.

• Capability building activities such as trainings, etc.

PROVISION OF OTHER PROTECTIVE SERVICES/INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

These include the provision of basic services/interventions for children and youth as determined by the LGU.

EARLY DETECTION & PREVENTIVE

• Information and Public Education — Activities that raise the awareness of the public in protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of children/youth. Activities include conduct of dialogues, assemblies, seminars or other fora focused on child/youth abuse, neglect, exploitation; production of communication aids such as posters, brochures, flyers, primers.

TREATMENT & REHABILITATION

• Organization of Peer Support Groups — organization of peer support/survivor groups or parents group to assist in the rehabilitation efforts of children/youth victims.

• Psychological and Psychiatric Interventions — referrals for tests and other modes of assessment as well as therapeutic sessions extended to the child/youth to determine aptitudes, capacities, interest, behavioral problems to facilitate treatment in accordance with individual needs.

• Medical Services — referral for medico-legal examinations, hospitalization and medical treatment, if indicated.

• Legal Services — referral for free legal services in connection with the victim's pursuance of the case, litigation of perpetrator, termination of parental authority.

• Self Employment Assistance — provisions of capability building, skills training assistance to enable the child/youth and their family to engage in income producing activities to alleviate their financial difficulties and improve their economic conditions.

• Child Placement Services — alternative family care such as of adoption or foster care for children whose parents have been deprived temporarily or permanently of parental authority by the Court. prcd

• Educational Assistance — provision of materials and financial assistance like school uniforms, supplies, tuition fees for skills or vocational training such as automotive, electronics and among others.

• Other Protective Social Services For Children and Youth — another type of protective services for children and youth as recommended.

B. LGU COUNTERPART

For Day Care Service and Youth Crisis service the LGU shall provide permanent lot/site for the center.

C. FUND RELEASES AND TRACKING

1. In accordance with the provision of section 7 of Executive Order No. 92 series of 1999, DBM shall release funds to the DSWD only after the latter has submitted the approved guidelines and corresponding Work and Financial Plan.

1.1. The Work and Financial Plan shall contain the following:

a) Program fund components (menu mix) and related expenditures.

b) Administrative activities and related expenditures.

1.2. The following support documents shall likewise be submitted:

a) Summary of Regional Fund Allocation by Province, City and District.

b) Listing of projects to be implemented by regions, specific locality beneficiaries, amount per project and the implementing agencies.

2. The DBM shall issue the Special Allotment Order (SARO) to DSWD amounting to P300 Million.

3. Upon receipt of the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the Lingap Para Sa Mahihirap (LPM), the DSWD Lingap Fund Office shall coordinate with the office of the Management for the sub-allotment of Regional Fund Allocation, to the DSWD Regional Offices, both for the program components and administrative support, and the corresponding cash allocation.

4. The National Lingap Fund Office shall release the funds to their Regional field offices on the basis of their WFP. Transfer of program funds shall be effected in accordance with the MOA signed between the DSWD Regional Office and the LGUs to undertake the project or activity by themselves by the concurrence of the representative of the legislative district concerned (section 85, GAA). Such transfer of funds shall be taken up in the books of accounts as grants and subsidies to the LGUs.

5. The Regional Field Offices shall release funds to the LGU based on the submission of project proposals as reviewed and endorsed by the city/municipal/interagency/provincial interagency. The said interagencies shall be informed in writing of the action taken on the proposals including revisions required, amount of fund releases or disapproval.

6. The DSWD Regional Office shall immediately transfer the program funds to the concerned LGUs, provided the MOA between the DSWD - Regional Office, the LGU/NGAs duly signed and notarized.

7. The LGU/NGA shall liquidate the fund to the concerned regional offices. A Monthly Report of Funds Utilized duly certified by the local accountant to the DSWD - Regional Office shall be rendered to the regional office.

8. Funds shall be utilized for purpose for which it was released and/or transferred and for no other purpose, unless request for modification of the Work and Financial Plan has been made and duly approved by DSWD.

9. Administrative Fund Support allocated to LGUs shall be processed on a reimbursement basis, at the DSWD Regional Office subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

10. In the case of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), DSWD Central Office shall enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Office of the Regional Governor (ORG-ARMM) for the implementation of the projects/program in the four provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

D. PROJECT MONITORING AND EVALUATION

1. The Municipal/City government shall be responsible for implementing Lingap Sa Mahihirap projects.

2. The DSWD Field Offices, Provincial/City Social welfare and Development Office (P/CSWDO) and/or the Basic sector shall likewise jointly conduct periodic site-inspections of the projects and report the accomplishments of these projects to the DSWD Central every on or before the 15th of the month following the quarter, in accordance to the format designed for this purpose.

3. Lingap Fund Office shall regularly monitor the utilization of program funds in coordination with the DSWD Regional Office.

3.1. The M/CSWDO or NGA shall submit a copy of the report to the Municipal/City Interagency (M/C IAC) for children and youth which needs resolution.

3.2. The consolidated report shall be provided by the LGU to the Regional DSWD for review, consolidation and submission to DSWD National Lingap Fund office.

3.3. A quarterly feedback report on the status of the DSWD Lingap Fund shall be prepared by the Lingap Fund Office, to be rendered to the NAPC on or before the 30th of the month following each quarter following the prescribed accounting forms and other special report forms that may be required by the Program Advisory Board.

3.4. A mid-implementation review of the status of the project implementation/fund utilization shall be conducted, to identify and resolve possible gaps in the project guidelines/implementation.

3.5. Revision and/or recommendations relative thereto, shall be submitted to the Secretary, as head of the Program Advisory Board, for endorsement to PAB.

This order shall take effect immediately.