DSWD to probe VP Sara's allegation that ayuda is being 'politicized'

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday said it will investigate Vice President Sara Duterte’s allegation that government assistance (ayuda) is being politicized.

“Hindi ko alam 'yung buong konteksto dahil nasa kabilang hearing  ako, parallel to the hearing na 'yon. First things first, I will get in touch with her office para makuha lahat ng detalye para maimbestigahan natin nang mabuti,” DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian told GMA Integrated News.

(I do not know the whole context because I was at another hearing parallel to that one. First things first, I will get in touch with her office to get all the details so we can investigate this well.)

Duterte told the Senate on Tuesday during the hearing for the 2025 proposed budget of the Office of the Vice President that there were instances that the DSWD declined to extend financial assistance to those endorsed by the OVP.

“Kapag meron po kaming nire-refer o binibigay na endorsement sa DSWD, kadalasan ng sagot sa amin [ay] hindi pwede dahil galing 'yan sa Office of the Vice President at kalaban 'yan. Minsan po totoo 'yan, napupulitika ang assistance para sa ating mga kababayan,” Duterte said.

(When we refer someone or give endorsement to DSWD, oftentimes the reply is that it will not be allowed because it is from the Office of the Vice President which is on the other side. Sometimes that is true, the giving of assistance to our countrymen is being politicized.)

Gatchalian gave the assurance that the DSWD extends assistance to anyone needing it, whether one has a referral or not.

“Meron kasi tayong policy roon sa DSWD na lahat ng pupunta sa aming tanggapan, whether may referral, walang referral, basta nangangailangan at tumuntong sa aming tanggapan, tutulungan at tutulungan namin 'yan,” Gatchalian said.

(We have a policy at DSWD that all those who go to our office, whether with referral or not, as long as they need help and have reached our office, will be given assistance.)

The secretary said that part of the investigation is aimed at establishing whether any DSWD personnel committed a violation of the said policy.

“Right now, ang gagawin namin is to get in touch with her [Duterte] office to get the full details para maimbestigahan namin kung may infraction na nagawa ang aming tao,” Gatchalian added.

(Right now, what we will do is get in touch with her office to get the full details so we can investigation if there is infraction caused by our personnel.) —KG, GMA Integrated News