Fact-finding team to probe Iloilo City barangays in alleged ‘ayuda’ modus

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) vowed that barangay officials found involved in alleged cash aid cuts will face dismissal and perpetual disqualification from public service.

Mounting reports on alleged cuts made to cash aids have raised worry among officials of the DSWD. The latest report involves Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) cash aid in Iloilo City.

To determine truth to the accusations, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian has created a fact-finding team.

“We make sure na magpa-file talaga kami ng kaso and ang kaso na i-file, malakas na kaso. In-fact last night, Secretary Gatchalian informed me already na gusto niyang pumunta dito dahil gusto niyang siya talaga ang magpa-file ng kaso,” DSWD Assistant Secretary Paul Ledesma said.

(We will make sure that we will file a case, and that said case is a strong one... Sec. Gatchalian informed me he wants to come here in order for him to file the case himself.)

At least 16 barangays in Iloilo City have complaints of alleged “ayuda” (aid) cuts, particularly in the Districts of Arevalo and Jaro.

Ledesma has a total of 24 complaints, as of this writing.

At least 11 of the 24 complaints have complete details reportedly for the filing of a case.

Following the issue on the modus, the Iloilo City Government and DSWD 6 stopped the distribution temporarily in the city.

Ledesma said he will recommend a temporary halt to all types of aid distribution in the city.

“Ako personally, sasabihin ko sa inyo ngayon (I am informing you now), I will recommend to stop all forms of pay-out from today until we resolve all these and we institute or adapt policy changes to ensure na this will not happen again,” Ledesma added.

A beneficiary expressed dismay over the stop in the distribution.

According to Claire Biaoco, a beneficiary, the “ayuda” from DSWD is a big help to her family.

"Siyempre dismayado talaga kami kasi kami ang unang maaapektuhan niyan ng kanilang pagpapatigil at ng kanilang isyu ngayon ng AICS na 'yan,” Biaoco said. — John Sala, GMA Regional TV