By Brian Campued
Filipinos who wish to donate to victims of recent calamities are assured of a safe and scam-free process through the “Kaagapay” online donations platform of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon at PTV on Thursday, DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian stressed that the Kaagapay portal—which was launched in February this year—is designed to provide a more convenient and more direct way for good doers to donate cash and in-kind.
“Ang Kaagay portal, hindi napupunta sa DSWD ‘yung donations, kundi nandoon nakalista ‘yung mga accounts ng iba’t ibang local government units na apektado nitong iba’t ibang disaster,” Sec. Gatchalian said.
He added that cash donations made through the Kaagapay portal are also transferred directly to the LGUs and DSWD-accredited non-governmental organizations involved in humanitarian and disaster response operations, ensuring “help reaches those who need it most.”
“Para ma-prevent ‘yung mga good doers natin, ‘yung mga good samaritans natin, na ma-scam—gusto niyo mag-donate? Pumunta kayo sa DSWD webpage. May makikita kayo doong link called Kaagapay portal,” Gatchalian said.
“So, sigurado kayo na ang inyong tulong, mapupunta sa tamang mga benepisyaryo.”
The DSWD chief assured that the portal prevents scams as only registered and licensed organizations can access the system.
The Kaagapay portal likewise prioritizes donor privacy and security, should the benefactors wish to remain anonymous.
Meanwhile, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is also monitoring donation drives posted online to help prevent donors from getting scammed.
According to CICC chief Usec. Aboy Paraiso, those who want to conduct fundraising activities still need to secure permission from authorities.
Paraiso underscored the importance of making the public aware of legitimate platforms—sich as the Kaagapay portal—where individuals and organizations who want to help disaster victims can donate.
“Hindi lang dapat natin paalalahan ‘yung mga kababayan natin kung ano ‘yung dapat iwasan, dapat paalalahanin din natin sila kung saan dapat pumunta,” he said.
-jpv
