By Jose Cielito Reganit | Philippine News Agency
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday stood firm that their offices extend assistance to anybody who asks for help, with or without referrals from politicians.
“Every day naman, kahit walang referral, ’pag pumunta ka sa tanggapan ng DSWD tinutulungan ka. Hindi mo kailangan ng referral. Kung may referral, tutulungan ka rin,” Gatchalian said in a radio interview on Tuesday.
The DSWD chief made the remarks when asked to comment on reports that the DSWD rejected referrals for assistance from the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
He said they do not politicize helping people as he pointed out that the ones responsible for extending assistance are the licensed social workers, which means their licenses are at risk if they politicize helping those in need.
Gatchalian said the DSWD has already coordinated with the OVP for clarification. He said the Department’s personnel could provide screenshots of their conversations to disprove the allegations.
“So, para sa akin palagay ko ’yong mga ’yon ay sapat na mga documentation para maipakita namin na wala kaming kinikilingang referral or walang referral, or may referral, lahat ng pupunta sa office, tinatanggap naman natin,” he said.
“Wala kaming record na aming tinanggihan,” Gatchalian added.
At the Senate on Monday, the DSWD chief also assured lawmakers that DSWD aid is for all, devoid of any political consideration.
“Lahat ng nangangailangan ng tulong, tutulungan,” Gatchalian said in response to the issue raised by Senator Bong Go on alleged political intrusion in the agency’s financial aid distribution.
“Hindi ho nagiging selective ang Departamento natin. Ang mga social worker ho natin ang sumusuri n’yan. Pagka nagbigay ho ang kongresista o ang kahit na sinong partner ng referral list, bine-vet ho nating mabuti ’yon,” Gatchalian told the members of the Senate Finance Committee.
To ensure the credibility of the list submitted to the Department, he said the agency’s social workers follow stringent measures of validation in adherence to existing guidelines so as to also prevent the overlapping of assistance with other DSWD programs.