4. What are the challenges that the agency face in the realization of its mandates? - DSWD does not have clout/power over the LGUs. That is the responsibility of DILG to compel an LGU to act on a social protection program. The DSWD can only encourage, advocate, and even train people regarding these programs. - Lack of resources in the LGU to implement programs, or lack of budget allocated to the ongoing programs. Implementation of social protection programs in GIDA is also compromised since there are security and safety risks for the social workers, procurement is also a problem since there are usually no available suppliers near these areas. If they do find suppliers, logistics is expensive since it must be transported either by airlift or by boat. - Lack of manpower in the regional offices. When they did the FRVA for the 6 municipalities in Davao Oriental, they got the raw data, but did not have enough manpower to process the data except for 2 of the municipalities (San Isidro, and Gov. Generoso) - The 4Ps has a grievance mechanism to report those who are abusing the system, but due to the culture of Filipinos, and the fear of being targeted in the community, very few reports. - Within this administration, the agency has changed secretaries 4 times already. They cannot sustain the thrust since each new leader presents different advocacies and priorities. 5. What are the upcoming plans of the DSWD with respect to policy and program development? - They want to change the coverage of social protection programs from targeted to universal. This is to ensure that everybody will be able to access programs at the point of need. - Advocating installation of offices/personnel in charge of Persons with Disabilities especially in Provincial and Municipal LGUs. (PDAO) It is in the law but not all LGUs comply. - DSWD wants to push the LGUs to actively provide them with reports and data (comprehensive development reports, hazards maps) so that they can use the validated data for their risk/vulnerability assessment. These data and reports are needed for proper implementation of basic social services and initiatives. In Region XI they have initiated workshops on RVA using secondary data (validated data), due to prior experience that firsthand data from the LGU is not that reliable. - Cleaning the data for Social Pension (indigents). There are currently validation activities happening on a national level. - Currently in a partnership with AFP and PNP, the agency is looking into the cases of children in situations of armed conflict. When the AFP/PNP clear areas of insurgency, they usually find child soldiers, and currently there are no facilities to take care of them. - They want to educate sectoral/community leaders on social protection programs so that they could become force multipliers for the agency. 57