Senator Erwin Tulfo on Sunday urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to investigate reports of mislabeling on relief assistance forms distributed to typhoon victims in Cebu.
Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, said the alleged errors in classification could have deprived affected residents of the help they deserve following the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino.
“It is both saddening and infuriating to hear reports that some barangay personnel in Cebu allegedly mislabelled the DSWD forms of several victims of Typhoon Tino,” he said.
“This is not the first time such an incident has happened, and it is disheartening that discrimination against disaster victims continues to occur,” Tulfo added.
He expressed alarm over claims that some barangay officials in Cebu marked several homes as only “partially damaged” despite being completely destroyed by floodwaters.
A resident of Purok Isla Verde in Talisay City reportedly raised the issue after discovering that her house was incorrectly tagged in official DSWD forms.
The senator, who once headed the DSWD, called on Secretary Rex Gatchalian to ensure swift action against those responsible. He said he is confident that Gatchalian will not tolerate any manipulation or irregularity in the delivery of government aid.
“This is a double whammy for them. First, they suffer from a calamity, and then they become victims again of manipulation in the distribution of aid. By the very meaning of the word ‘assistance,’ it should be given to the people in full, without excess or deficiency,” Tulfo said.
Earlier this year, Tulfo filed Senate Bill No. 254, or the proposed Anti-Discrimination in the Delivery of Social Protection Programs Act, which seeks to penalize government personnel who engage in discriminatory or deceitful acts in the distribution of social aid.
