By Katrina N. Sanchez/AdDU Intern
THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI is looking into the viral video of a pregnant woman complaining that a barangay official in Matanao, Davao del Sur fleeced a big chunk of her P10,000 financial aid.
During the open forum of Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas at the DSWD XI compound on June 11, regional director
encouraged the public to report cases like this to the nearest office, even anonymously, rather than post them on social media.
“We will not disclose their identity if ‘yun po ang fear nila but important po kasi na ma-document natin yan na mga concerns on the ground,” she said.
Goc-Ong also noted their office doesn’t initiate in-person visits due to the sheer number of barangays. Instead, they talk to the mayor and other authorized persons since the local government units are tasked to identify the qualified beneficiaries.
The DSWD’s social workers, meanwhile, assess and validate the list provided by the LGUs.
“For example, it’s the El Niño, so it’s farmers and fisherfolks who are the adversely affected. So si LGUs po ang nakakaalam kung sino po itong mga farmers and that’s how they provide the list. They certify the list na ito yung mga affected ng El Niño and ito yung ie-endorse namin sa DSWD for possible assistance,” she further explained.
DSWD maintains close coordination with the LGUs, especially the barangays to ensure the financial assistance goes directly to the beneficiaries.
“We accept referrals not only from LGUs. So if mayro’n pong truly na nangangailangan do’n, mayro’n tayong satellite offices,” Goc-Ong clarified.
Photo: Bing Gonzales
