• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Abang Lingkod partylist group strongly denied claims of any involvement in the alleged irregularities in the distribution of cash aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
In a statement, 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 investigations, they identified a certain Marivic Oñate as the individual responsible for the unauthorized act.
Abang Lingkod only entrusted her to encourage and assist in the dissemination of information and requirements targeting those people in need, the statement further said.
When Oñate was confronted, she admitted to the act, claiming her intention was to pool funds to share with applicants who were disqualified.
In a sworn affidavit, Oñate admitted that she is not an employee, officer, staff member or authorized disbursement officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, or employed by Abang Lingkod party-list, in connection with the implementation of AICS program.
As a former barangay kagawad of Victorias City, Oñate admitted that she was entrusted among others by Abang Lingkod party-list 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 also stressed 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 assistance.
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.
She also apologized to Johnna Ditching Ko and the Abang Lingkod party-list group for using their names without their consent.
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 of the DSWD social workers.*
