DSWD's Gatchalian warns barangay execs not to take advantage of beneficiaries' cash aid

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday warned local barangay officials not to take advantage of the cash assistance provided by the national government to beneficiaries.

Gatchalian was referring to reports where a beneficiary of government aid in Davao del Sur received P10,000. However, barangay officials allegedly acquired P8,500 of her money and just left P1,500.

''Sisiguraduhin natin na magiging warning ito, matinding warning sa mga magtatangka na samantalahin 'yung mahihirap nating benepisyaryo. Walang may karapatan na magkaltas,'' Gatchalian told reporters in Isabela province.

(We will ensure that this would serve as a warning, a strong warning to those who intend to take advantage of our poor beneficiaries. They do not have any right to get a portion of the cash aid.)

Calling the incident as isolated, Gatchalian nonetheless said the DSWD would lodge a formal complaint over the incident.

The DSWD chief also clarified that the incident did not happen when the cash assistance was distributed at the agency's payout center.

''Pero despite it being isolated, we take it very seriously. Sa kaso na 'to yung pregnant natin na beneficiary, nakatanggap ng P10,000. At gusto ko ring linawain na during payout, buo ang natatanggap nila. Pag nagbigay ang DSWD 'yan, kasi we verify it...  Hindi nangyari 'yung kaltasan sa loob ng payout center ng DSWD,'' he said.

(In this case, the beneficiary got P10,000. I want to clarify that during the payout, she got the entire P10,000. The incident did not happen inside the DSWD's payout center.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News