Full TEXT:

ORDINANCE NO. 2026-022

AN ORDINANCE MANDATING THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE SOCIAL PENSION FOR INDIGENT SOLO PARENTS IN THE CITY OF NAGA THROUGH AN AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE (ATM)-BASED SYSTEM, E-WALLET, AND OTHER MODES OF ONLINE PAYMENT, PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION, REPORTING, AND PARTNERSHIP, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES:

Author: Hon. Elmer S. Baldemoro

EXPLANATORY NOTE

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 8972, otherwise known as the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000, as amended by Republic Act No. 11861, also known as the Expanded Solo Parents’ Welfare Act, declares as a policy of the State to “support the natural and primary rights and duties of solo parents in rearing their children by providing for their basic needs and extending to them assistance in social services and welfare benefits, with the end in view of uplifting their status and circumstances”;

WHEREAS, the aforesaid laws mandate the provision of a monthly cash subsidy in the amount of One Thousand Pesos (1,000.00) to indigent solo parents earning minimum wage and below;

WHEREAS, in compliance with these national mandates, the City Government of Naga has put in place the necessary mechanisms for the provision of social pensions to indigent solo parents;

WHEREAS, as of 15 January 2026, there are 500 indigent solo parents who are eligible for said benefits;

WHEREAS, given the significant number of beneficiaries, traditional modes of pension distribution may pose challenges such as long queues, transportation costs, scheduling conflicts, and administrative delays, which disproportionately affect solo parents who already bear multiple responsibilities;

WHEREAS, the distribution of social pension benefits through an Automated Teller Machine (ATM)-based system, E-wallet and other form of online payment provides a secure, efficient, and accessible means of transferring financial assistance directly to beneficiaries, thereby reducing inconvenience and ensuring the timely receipt of benefits;

WHEREAS, this mode of pension distribution eases the burden of solo parents, promotes transparency, minimizes the handling of cash, and aligns with the City Government’s thrust toward digitalization and inclusive financial technology;

WHEREAS, most solo parents in the City of Naga are already familiar with the use of ATM facilities, making this platform a practical and feasible option for social pension distribution;

BE IT ORDAINED, therefore, by the 15th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga that:

SECTION 1. Title. This Ordinance shall be known as the “Social Pension Online Payment Distribution Ordinance for Indigent Solo Parents of the City of Naga.“

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the City Government of Naga to uphold the welfare of solo parents by ensuring the efficient, transparent, secure, and dignified delivery of social assistance. In accordance with Republic Act No. 8972, as amended by Republic Act No. 11861, the City shall adopt an ATM-based disbursement system to guarantee the timely and orderly release of social pension benefits to indigent solo parents.

SECTION 3. Coverage. This Ordinance shall apply to all qualified indigent solo parents in the City of Naga who are entitled to receive the monthly cash subsidy under existing national laws and local social welfare programs.

SECTION 4. Mandatory ATM-Based, E-wallet and other form of online payment Disbursement. The social pension for indigent solo parents shall be distributed through an Automated Teller Machine (ATM)-based system, E-wallet, and other form of online payments.

SECTION 5. Implementing Offices and Responsibilities. The implementation of this Ordinance shall be undertaken by the following offices:

1. Solo Parents’ Office – beneficiary coordination and assistance;
2. City Social Welfare and Development Office – validation of eligibility, maintenance of the master list of beneficiaries, and social case management;
3. City Treasurer’s Office – fund management, coordination with partner banks, ATM crediting, and financial reconciliation; and
4. Information Technology Office – technical coordination, system support, and assistance in ensuring secure disbursement processes.

SECTION 6. Authority to the City Mayor. The City Mayor is hereby authorized to enter into a memorandum of agreement with partner bank, e-wallet or online payment provider.

SECTION 7. Data Privacy and Safeguards. All implementing offices shall strictly comply with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and other applicable laws. Appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards shall be adopted to protect the personal and financial information of beneficiaries.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The concerned offices shall jointly formulate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Ordinance.

SECTION 9. Reporting and Compliance. The City Social Welfare and Development Office and the City Treasurer’s Office shall submit an annual implementation report to the Sangguniang Panlungsod through the appropriate committee, detailing:

1. Number of beneficiaries served;
   b. Disbursement efficiency and issues encountered; and
   c. Recommended improvements to the system.

SECTION 10. Funding. Funds necessary for the implementation of this Ordinance shall be charged against existing appropriations of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, subject to applicable budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules, and regulations.

SECTION 11. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Ordinance is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. All ordinances, resolutions, rules, and regulations inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 13. Effectivity. This Ordinance shall take effect after its approval.

ENACTED: February 24, 2026

WE HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the foregoing ordinance.

GABRIEL H. BORDADO JR.
City Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer

LILIAN O. PASCUAL
Acting Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod

APPROVED:

MARIA LEONOR G. ROBREDO
City Mayor