Officials of Barangay Sinawilan in Matanao, Davao del Sur are facing charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly keeping back a portion of the cash aid given to a pregnant beneficiary.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao (DSWD-11) and the pregnant beneficiary filed the complaints against the barangay chairman, members of the barangay council, and other barangay officials involved on Thursday, June 13, 2024. 

The complainant claimed that the P10,000 cash grant she received during the government’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) payout in Digos City on June 6, 2024, was allegedly cut to P1,500 by the barangay officials. She claimed that after receiving the money, she was told to remit it to the barangay hall.

She took to social media to express her sentiments and the video went viral until it reached the attention of DSWD.

Prior to the filing of charges, DSWD-11 accompanied the complainant in filing a police blotter at the Matanao Police Station for her safety on June 10, 2024.

DSWD-11 said the complainant refused the offer of the barangay officials involved to return the amount they allegedly held back, prompting the agency to give her P8,500 to cover for the amoung kept back. The agency also gave her an additional P10,000 for her prenatal checkup and medicines.

DSWD-11 Director Vanessa Goc-ong lauded the complainant’s courage and urged all beneficiaries who experience the same to report to DSWD.

“She (the beneficiary) serves as a role model to all of us for her courage in standing up against the injustices committed by her community leaders. We should follow her example for the betterment of our society. Therefore, I encourage all beneficiaries who have had similar experiences to come forward and reach out to us. Whether you choose to report anonymously or openly, we assure you that we will support you throughout this process,” Goc-ong said.