The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was pleased with the results of the latest Pulse Asia Ulat ng Bayan survey indicating that 57 percent of the total respondents have received the much-needed assistance from the agency.

“This is an affirmation of the Department’s continuous effort in improving its service delivery, especially in making programs and services readily available and more accessible to the public,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, said on Monday.

The results of the survey, which covered the period 26 November to 3 December 2024, showed that out of those who received assistance, majority or 73 percent shared that they were able to easily access the programs and services of the DSWD.

The social protection programs provided by DSWD as indicated in the Ulat ng Bayan include the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), and Disaster Response and Early Recovery initiatives.

“Nais natin na gawing mas mabilis ang pag-access sa mga program natin lalo para sa nangangailangan ngunit sinisigurado pa rin natin na nasa quality standard ang mga ito. Mahalaga din na ang mga kababayan natin sa buong bansa ay nakaka-avail at nakakaalam ng mga programa,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

The DSWD spokesperson said the survey results will serve as a baseline for the Department to keep on improving systems and innovating approaches to make the agency’s services truly responsive to the needs of the public.

Respondents of the Pulse Asia survey represent nationwide public equally divided from the National Capital Region (NCR), Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

Of those expressing easy access to the services and programs, 75 percent were from the Visayas and Mindanao.