The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday filed complaints against local officials in Iloilo before the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged anomalies related to the government’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.
In a press briefing, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the filing involves 16 barangays in Iloilo City and 14 barangay officials.
“I am often asked because there are always reports in the media about cuts happening in our AICS program… What I always say is I hope someone will report because all we get are anecdotes but today is different because there were reports, and this happened in Iloilo City. The payout period that we were talking about starting November 7, 11, and 12,” he said in Filipino.
Gatchalian narrated that the officials have allegedly been pocketing between P8,000 to P9,000 out of the P10,000 financial assistance allocated to beneficiaries.
He shared that the complainants’ accounts are consistent despite coming from 16 different barangays.
Among the supposed perpetrators are barangay captains, barangay kagawads, barangay treasurer, and other barangay-appointed officials.
“In their story, it’s been happening for a long time, even during the COVID time. Now, there’s been a massive complaint because before, what was deducted from them was only a small percentage, but now it’s reversed… and all they’re left with is about P2000 or P1000,” said Gatchalian.
Meanwhile, the DSWD chief clarified that the deductions and harassment are not facilitated by social workers during the payout activity but on the beneficiaries’ homes.
For his part, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano underscored that the matter will be taken seriously by their office, adding that assistance should benefit the people directly.
After the criminal aspect was filed with the Ombudsman, he shared that the case will undergo evaluation and administrative adjudication.
