The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday said it has extended its sympathies to the family of 40-year-old Walfredo Ople Catajan Jr., a beneficiary from Barangay Sto. Niño, Hagonoy, who was set to receive P5,625 in emergency cash transfer when the medical emergency happened.
Catajan, who had long been suffering from a heart ailment according to his family, died of acute coronary syndrome while being revived at the Bulacan Medical Center.
DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the agency already reached out to the family and assured them of necessary assistance following the tragic incident.
She also reminded beneficiaries, especially the elderly, persons with disabilities, those with underlying illnesses, and other vulnerable groups, to prioritize their health and safety by sending their duly authorized representative when seeking government assistance. This is to prevent them from being exposed to a greater risk of contracting diseases.
Dumlao added that on instructions from DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the agency’s Information and Communications Technology Management Service is embarking on a digitalization roadmap to ensure that all its social welfare programs can be easily accessed by clients online, without the need for queuing.
Assistant Secretary for Information and Communications Technology Johannes Paulus Acuña, who is also the agency’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), on the other hand, said the digitalization of frontline services makes these more accessible, convenient, and time-saving, as it would not require time away from work for the clients.
For aid distribution, the DSWD CIO said the agency will begin piloting a digital system for processing and issuance of guarantee letters under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program by the fourth quarter of 2025.