• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Abang Lingkod partylist group has denied any involvement in the alleged irregularities in the distribution of cash aid under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
In a statement over the weekend, Abang Lingkod said it strictly prohibits solicitation in exchange for assistance.
“We have and will never sanction, or instruct individuals to ask money from beneficiaries. Abang Lingkod will never tolerate such acts,” the partylist group said.
Based on its initial investigation, they identified a certain Marivic Oñate as the individual responsible for such unauthorized act.
Abang Lingkod only entrusted her to encourage and assist in the dissemination of information and requirements targeting those people in need, its statement further said.
When Oñate was confronted, she admitted the act, claiming her intention was to pool funds to share with applicants who were disqualified.
In a sworn statement, Oñate admitted that she is not an employee, officer, staff member or authorized disbursement officer of the DSWD, or employed by Abang Lingkod partylist in connection with the implementation of the AICS program.
As a former village councilwoman in Victorias City, Oñate said that she was entrusted, among others, by Abang Lingkod partylist solely to disseminate information regarding the schedule and documentary requirements of the AICS program and to encourage qualified barangay residents to apply through the proper government channels.
She added that her involvement in relation to the AICS program was strictly limited to voluntary civic engagement.
After the distribution of AICS assistance, Oñate said that she and some of her colleagues inquired from certain beneficiaries, if they are willing to share a portion of assistance they received with other individuals, who were unable to avail of the financial aid.
Upon learning that the acceptance or redistribution of such funds was not allowed, Oñate said she immediately returned the amounts in full to the individuals who had surrendered them.
In Victorias City alone, 150 individuals have expressed interest in filing complaints.
Similar incidents were also reported in Murcia.
Reports circulating on social media mentioned a payout of P10,000 for each beneficiary, after which the individual supposedly in-charge of the list takes back P8,500, leaving the beneficiary with only P1,500.
AICS is one of the social welfare services of the DSWD that provides medical, burial, transportation, education, food, or financial assistance for other support services or needs of a person or family.
Cash grants range from P1,000 to P10,000, depending on the assessment made by the DSWD social workers. | GB
