In places where disaster had struck, the DSWD Cash for Work program is implemented to provide assistance to victims and their families. The DSWD Cash for Work Program provides employment opportunities to affected individuals through the rehabilitation of public infrastructure projects like building houses, roads and bridges.
Also Read: List of DSWD Programs, Projects and Services
Though it is not meant to support affected individuals and their families in the long term, it is a welcome relief for them. The program is particularly effective in areas with no jobs or livelihood opportunities available to affected individuals and families. The DSWD Cash for Work Program also helps government agencies and local government units quickly restore vital public services, such as water supply systems, roads and bridges. Find out more about this program in the following sections:
What is the DSWD Cash for Work Program?
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has a provision of short-term work opportunities to those who are currently experiencing financial hardship or displacement is the primary objective of the Cash for Work program. It entails taking part in a variety of activities and projects that are intended to make their lives better.
The community can utilize the program as a short-term solution to solve its issues, and it is available to them. It entails locating work locations and activities that are oriented toward making the lives of the people who are participating in the project better. The individuals who participate in the program are offered monetary remuneration in exchange for the services they provide.
Following a natural disaster, it is possible to immediately begin work on projects that are associated with the Cash for Work program. This is something that can be done regardless of whether the catastrophe was caused by natural forces or by humans. The various local government units’ social welfare and development offices are the organizations tasked with carrying out the program’s actual implementation.
These projects include any, but are not limited to the following, implemented in coordination and collaboration with LGUs and other government agencies and private organizations:
- Environmental protection and preservation such as tree planting/reforestation, coastal clean-up, etc.;
- Support to construction or repair of small-scale community infrastructures such as irrigation canals, deep well or water systems, pit drainage, water reservoir, etc.;
- Food security interventions, such as communal gardening and agricultural production. etc.; and
- Other climate and disaster mitigation and preparedness activities.
Benefits of the DSWD Cash for Work Program
- Encourage the participation of the community in developing a community-defined project involving disaster preparedness, response, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.
- Provide temporary employment and improve the income of the participants.
- Prevent individuals and families from leaving their communities in search of new sources of income through the provision of income augmentation of a daily rate of the existing minimum wage in the region.
Qualifications
The DSWD has identified the following persons as qualified to apply for the DSWD Cash for Work Program:
Target Beneficiaries
The target beneficiaries shall be any of the hereunder priority sectors:
- Poor families as identified under the DSWD Listahanan;
- Poor families excluded from the DSWD Listahanan as assessed by the LSWDO;
- Indigenous People (IP);
- Families with vulnerable members such as Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Senior Citizens, Solo Parents, etc.
These are the ones who have the most urgent needs for cash assistance, and thus are prioritized in the implementation of the program. Additional Requirements Qualified applicants shall also be required to undergo a pre-qualification assessment conducted by their local government unit (LGU) through their Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO), which will determine whether they are eligible to join Cash for Work Program.
Eligibility Requirements
The project reach shall focus on any of the following areas:
- Eighteen (18) major river basins as identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);
- Ten (10) identified principal river basins as identified by the DENR;
- Four (4) major urban centers as recommended by DENR;
- Eight hundred twenty-two (822) coastal municipalities as identified by DENR;
- Twenty-two (22) vulnerable provinces as recommended by DENR; and
- Other areas that are economically vulnerable and are historically susceptible to disaster hazards as assesses and identified by the DSWD Field Office and Local Social Welfare Department.
Aside from their geographic location, the identified vulnerable areas are also those that have a high concentration of people who are poor and whose livelihoods depend on natural resources. These include areas within the coastal regions, river basins and watersheds, as well as urban centers in the Philippines.
The DSWD will take an active role in profiling, identifying, and prioritizing the most vulnerable areas in the country. This will be done through a collaborative effort with other line agencies, local government units (LGUs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders. The DSWD will also be responsible for developing mechanisms for assisting those who need it most during disasters and calamities, and shall ultimately decide who will be the most affected by a disaster and what kind of assistance they will need.
The DSWD has prepared a database containing information about communities vulnerable to disasters. This database is being updated regularly with the help of other line agencies and LGUs.
Requirements
Joining the program requires the willingness to be trained and to work with the DSWD in livelihood and productivity support projects, developmental and collective community or group undertaking related to disaster mitigation, risk reduction, and rehabilitation.
And once these projects have been carried out, approval for the release of funds shall be based on the submission of the following:
- Project Proposal submitted and signed by the Local Chief Executive (LCE) or Designated Alternate Officer (Head of Local Social Welfare Development Office) and recommended for approval by the Head of the Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) and for approval by the Regional Director
- The master list of beneficiaries shall be certified and signed by the LCE or Designated Alternate Officer (Head of Local Social Welfare Development Office), recommended for approval by the DRMD Head and approved by the Regional Director
- Allocation and obligation of funds shall be based on the submitted Project Proposal duly approved/signed by the Regional Director with the required enclosures
- A Daily Time Record (DTR), Logbook or Daily Attendance Sheet is admissible to record the actual engagement of the CFW beneficiaries in community works. Further, these shall be kept by the DSWD Field Office and ensure that they would be available during the monitoring of the concerned offices in the Region and Central Office
Components of the DSWD Cash For Work (CFW) Program
1. Assessment and Identification of Proposed Projects/ Activities
The P/C/MSWDO will conduct an assessment to identify the potential beneficiaries of the program and develop a strategy for addressing their needs. It will also consult with the LGU to establish a feasible and efficient CFW.
The assessment will cover the following areas: a) the beneficiaries’ capability to provide for their fellow citizens; b) the socio-economic benefits that the project will bring them; c) the acceptability of the project by the community; and d) the cost and implementation of the project.
2. Preparation of Project Proposal
After conducting the assessment and identifying the project’s potential beneficiaries, the P/C/MSWDO will then prepare a project proposal that will provide the necessary details of the project. This will include the project’s scope and objectives, budget, work program, and other related documents.
3. Provision of Financial Assistance/Project Funding
After receiving the proposals for more than one million pesos, the P/C/MSWDO will then submit them to the Program Management Bureau for further evaluation and approval. The funding for the project will then be transferred to the local government units through the Field Office.
The project’s requirements will be attached to the proposal, and the certification of the availability of the local government units’ counterpart resources will be signed by the chief executive. This will allow the P/C/MSWDO to confirm that the local government units can provide the necessary resources for the project.
4. Implementation of CFW Project/Activity
The local government units will then implement the project’s activities and requirements following the approval of the project by the DSWD-Field Office.
Participants of the CFW program will be issued with a Cash-for-Work voucher, which will reflect their participation in the various projects that they have been involved in. The local government units will also maintain a logbook to record their daily attendance.
The attendance logbook and the CFW voucher will be used by the P/C/MSWDO to prepare the cash assistance payroll. These documents will serve as supporting documents for the reports that will be submitted to the DSWD-Field Office. The LGU should also keep a copy of these records so that they can be easily accessed during the monitoring visit of the central office or the field office.
After the project or activity is completed, the P/C/MSWDO will then prepare a completion report that will include a summary of the activities and achievements of the project. This report will be forwarded to the local chief executive. The main focus of this report will be on the project’s implementation and the results of the activities related to the project’s requirements.
The copy of this report will be forwarded to the DSWD-Field Office, which will then review and take appropriate action. The field office will also provide a copy of the report to the central office through its operations and capacity-building group.
5. Monitoring and Evaluation
The Cash-for-Work program has three levels of monitoring. These include the LGU, the DSWD Field Office, and the DSWD Central Office. The monitoring of the LGU will be carried out on a daily basis, and it will be coordinated with the appropriate offices. These include the public works, engineering, and general services departments. The program of work will also be monitored through the P/C/MSWDO, and shall cover the following:
a. Program of Work – tracking the progress of the project or activity based on the approved program of work.
b. Project Activity – verifying whether the actual project or activity being undertaken including its location site is exactly consistent with the approved project proposal.
c. Beneficiaries – determining if the beneficiaries involved in the actual project or activity are the intended recipients of the Cash-for-Work and if number is in accordance with the proposed manpower or labor requirement.
The monitoring of the Cash-for-work program in the field office is carried out on a regular basis using a random sampling method. The objective of the monitoring is to provide the Central Office with the necessary information to make informed decisions regarding the program. This includes checking the status of the wage payments and the number of participants who have received the money.
Evaluation by DSWD Personnel
DSWD Central Office personnel will also visit the field office at least once during the course of the project or activity to provide technical assistance. Evaluation of the program will only be conducted after the activity or project has been completed.
The evaluation report, which includes the list of the beneficiaries and the project’s progress, must be submitted to the LGU and the Central Office. The objective of the evaluation is to establish if the program is effective and efficient.
One of the main factors that will be considered when it comes to assessing the effectiveness of the program is the selection and participation of the beneficiaries.
Aside from the cost and operation of the project, another aspect of the evaluation will be the timeliness of the payments made to the beneficiaries.
The evaluation will also look into the effects of the cash-for-work program on the various aspects of the community. For instance, how the project affected the participants and the community’s acceptance of the project. It will also analyze the various activities and coping strategies of the participants.
DSWD Cash for Work Guidelines
Here are the program guidelines for the DSWD cash-for-work as outlined by the agency in this Administrative Order dated 2008.
Sample of Cash for Work Voucher
Here’s a sample of the voucher to be used for the DSWD Cash for Work Project:
Video: DOLE, DSWD won’t dole out cash; offer cash for work
The video explains the Cash for Work program. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) clarified that the government does not give out dole outs but rather provides jobs to people affected by Boracay’s closure.
This is a better strategy than the traditional way of giving money to people. This is because the money will be spent on things other than food and shelter, which will make it difficult for the government to monitor how it is used.
The Cash for work has been proven effective in many countries where it was implemented. Furthermore, the work done by the people in their area will benefit them in the long run. This is what has been the case of the Boracay closure, which gave way to the town’s rehabilitation, which has benefited many people. It is also important to note that this strategy can be implemented in other areas in the Philippines, where poverty and unemployment are rampant.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is cash for work?
The Cash for Work program provides temporary employment to individuals who are experiencing difficulties or are displaced. It involves participating in various activities and projects in their communities. These work areas are identified through the leadership of local leaders.
The Cash for Work program provides cash to help the needy meet their basic needs. It can be conducted before, during, or after a disaster. This program is managed by the local government units’ social welfare and development offices. The DSWD Field Offices are also involved in the implementation of the program.
2. What is environmental preservation?
Various forms of environmental protection are carried out, such as reforestation, coastal clean-up, and tree planting. Small-scale projects that are supported by this program include the construction of water reservoirs, canals, pit drainages, and irrigation canals.
3. What is a work area program?
The local community leaders identify various work programs and work areas that are needed by the people in these communities. In exchange for the services rendered, the recipients are given cash to meet their basic needs.
4. Who signs the master list of beneficiaries?
The list of beneficiaries of the various social welfare programs and projects identified by the DENR is prepared by the LCE or designated alternate officer. These individuals should then be approved by the regional director.
5. Who is responsible for the implementation of the Cash for Work Program?
The local government units’ social welfare and development offices handle the program’s implementation. These offices are in coordination with the DSWD’s field offices.
6. What is the minimum wage under the CFW program?
For the benefit of the CFW program’s beneficiaries, the regional wage rate will now be 100% instead of 75%. In the Western Visayas, the current minimum wage is P323.50 per day.
Summary
The DSWD Cash for Work (CFW) Program is an excellent initiative by the government to provide financial assistance for marginalized and vulnerable communities. It also provides them with job opportunities to help them sustain their livelihood. Every Filipino who is in dire need of money should consider applying to one of the DSWD’s Cash for Work Program sites located in their respective localities.
With calamities happening in the country and with more and more Filipinos becoming impoverished every year, there is no doubt that the Cash for Work program will continue to help many people who need money.
We hope you’ve found this article useful. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the DSWD’s Cash for Work program, feel free to visit your local Social Welfare and Development Office or coordinate with the DSWD via their official website.