CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — A ranking official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM) has warned local executives involved in irregularities in the distribution of cash assistance to indigents in this province that the law will definitely run after them.
Speaking during the 4th round of Local Government Unit Assembly on Social Welfare Protection that focused on the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for the province of Maguindanao on Wednesday, DSWD-ARMM Secretary Laisa Alamia said the local government officials from mayors down to barangays, including workers of DSWD, should not benefit from the 4Ps program.
The assembly was called a month after Alamia found out that some elected officials, mayors included, were involved in getting “cuts” out of the government fund assistance to indigent residents of ARMM in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
“Cuts” refer to corruption where local officials are receiving part of the fund assistance intended for the poor.
The Army’s 6th Infantry Division hosted the gathering because the military will help monitor distribution of funds as well as monitor the performance of elected local officials.
Alamia, a lawyer, discussed the objectives of convening all local government unit (LGU) officials and other stakeholders involved in the implementation of 4Ps.
“It has been found out that DSWD-ARMM that Maguindanao has received the highest number of complaints involving the 4Ps anomalies before our office on the barangay level,” Alamia said.
She presented the “no fraud” policy implemented by DSWD national, the importance of 4Ps and the “do’s and don’ts,” stressing repeatedly on stopping corruption.
The LGU officials and other stakeholders, meanwhile, lauded Alamia for her firm stand in eradicating irregularities in 4Ps’ implementation.
She said officials who would be caught involved in fraudulent activities, during and after the payouts to the beneficiaries, would be ousted from their respective posts and could even face criminal charges with the assistance of law enforcement authorities.
To reinforce this, the agency has already started coordinating with Smart Telecommunications Co. to setup the Infocast Messaging System.
The system, once operational, will enable 4Ps beneficiaries and others to send their concerns to DSWD-ARMM regarding 4Ps.
DSWD-ARMM is also coordinating with other agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation, the Commission on Elections, the Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in counterchecking and evaluating the list of 4Ps members. Aside from LGU officials, regional officials of Department of Education and Health were also presented for they form part of the task force.
“We thought of the LGU assembly as the best way to talk and appeal to you. This serves as a warning. Magtulungan po tayo na ayusin ang problema na ito (Let us help each other in resolving this problem),” Alamia said.
DSWD-ARMM has also coordinated with the Darul Ifta, the local Islamic consultative body, to provide religious guidance on the program’s implementation.
Alamia said that helping the needy in the community is not just a responsibility as public servants but also as Muslims. The military would be involved in the monitoring in accordance with Mindanao Martial Law Instruction Order No. 01 to monitor and check LGUs to ensure projects and programs of the government are properly implemented and delivered.
Alamia also warned her fellow workers in the DSWD-ARMM that those found guilty of corruption involving the 4Ps implementation will be dealt with accordingly. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA/Photo by BPI-ARMM)
