By Jose Cielito Reganit | Philippine News Agency
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Rex Gatchalian on Thursday filed administrative charges at the Office of the Ombudsman against 14 barangay officials in Iloilo City involved in payout anomalies under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
The action follows a report submitted to Gatchalian on Nov. 12 by DSWD’s Field Office (FO) 6 – Western Visayas, which indicated multiple grievance complaints from AICS beneficiaries.
Allegedly, certain village officials unlawfully took P8,000 from beneficiaries during the AICS payout on Nov. 7, 11, and 12, leaving only P2,000 to the intended recipients.
Gatchalian strongly condemned the reported acts of corruption, reiterating that fraudulent practices will not be tolerated under his leadership.
“Nakakalungkot isipin dahil ang sabi nga ng ating Pangulo na ang tulong ng DSWD ay dapat diretso sa bulsa ng nangangailangan, wala dapat nangingialam diyan,” he said in a press briefing.
“They are revictimizing the victims. Kasi pag lumapit ka sa DSWD may crisis ka nang pinagdaraanan, biktima ka na ng circumstances. Pero dito, mga persons of authority pa ang nagbi-victimize sa kanila,” Gatchalian said.
The DSWD chief said the administrative charges are just the beginning, as criminal charges are being prepared against the involved village officials.
He further emphasized the DSWD’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of its social protection programs and ensuring that assistance fully reaches the rightful beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne Baronda commended the DSWD for filing administrative charges against those allegedly responsible, saying that they must also be held criminally liable, together with the mastermind or masterminds who orchestrated the scheme.
“The DSWD has our full support in ensuring that these perpetrators—including the masterminds and their co-conspirators—are held accountable. It would be even more prudent for the DSWD to investigate similar incidents that occurred in 2024,” she said in a statement.
“To others who were victimized by the same scheme, and to the other residents whose names were used to claim AICS without their knowledge, please come out and go to the DSWD Regional Field Office-6 to file your complaints,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it fully supports the DSWD’s action on the matter.
In a statement, the agency said taking advantage of families already in distress is unacceptable and violates the Marcos administration’s call for clean, compassionate and accountable governance.
The DILG said it is coordinating with the DSWD, Office of the Ombudsman and other disciplining bodies to ensure that the investigation proceeds with clarity and resolve.
“The public is encouraged to immediately report any irregular activity involving local officials in AICS distribution or in any other social assistance program. Every peso of government aid must reach beneficiaries in full and without fear. Officials who exploit the people they are sworn to serve will be held fully accountable,” it added. (with a report from Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
