• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region has clarified Aug. 14 its payout guidelines following a viral video of a 77-year-old bedridden senior citizen being carried in a makeshift hammock, purportedly to attend the orientation and claim his financial aid.
The video, which circulated on social media, depicted the elderly beneficiary being physically transported by his family members to attend the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program orientation in Barangay Bi-ao, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.
The agency said they maintain procedures designed to prevent physical hardship for vulnerable individuals, adding that bedridden, physically-incapacitated, or hospitalized beneficiaries are strictly exempt from attending orientations or physically appearing at payout locations.
It added that any family member listed in the beneficiary’s official family roster can claim the financial aid on their behalf without requiring a formal authorization letter.
For individuals confined in hospitals or completely bedridden, the DSWD-NIR said that special house-to-house payout arrangements are available.
It explained that while on-site verification takes place on payout day as an initial step to safeguard funds, alternative measures also ensure that aid still reaches physically-incapacitated and immobile recipients.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental 5th District Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo said Aug. 14 that they are planning to conduct on-site assistance payout in rural barangays in Binalbagan town.
The official UPLIFT payout in the municipality is scheduled on Aug. 18. | TMD
