Several residents in Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro, Iloilo City complained against the barangay for alleged cut worth P8,000 to food assistance worth P10,000.

Payout from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was carried out on November 11, 2025.

What reached the residents allegedly is a meager P2,000.

According to 42-year-old “Inday,” personnel of the DSWD gave her the full amount worth P10,000. However, when she left the venue, two alleged workers of Barangay Chairman Rizaline Delmo blocked her and told her to leave the P8,000.

“Pagdating sa exit, may nakabantay doon na mga tauhan ni kapitan at doon daw tumungo sa kabilang silid at doon iwanan ang eight thousand. Natakot silang magpalabas ng pahayag sa (media) dahil baka pag-initan sila ni kap,” alias “Inday” said.

According to “Inday,” it was on November 9, 2025 when they were asked to fill out forms for the food assistance. They were also told that day they will receive P2,000 only of the P10,000.

“Sabi nila, manahimik lang dahil napili. Marami ang masama ang loob sa amin sa ganyan. Ibibigay daw nila sa mga hindi nakakuha, ‘yan ang sabi ni kap sa amin,” alias “Inday” said further.

Another resident, Rey Lumbayan, said that losing the amount to the said arrangement is heartbreaking. He said it is hard to accept that the cut reached P8,000. Being a stroke patient, he said, he should have been helped not agonized.

“Mahirap ang tao, dapat tulungan. Hindi yung kukunin pa yung hindi naman para sa kanila,” Rey stressed.

Residents also said that the payout included residents from other barangays in Jaro District.

According to DSWD 6, the payout is part of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) for members of the vulnerable sectors affected by high inflation rate.

“Ini-encourage namin ang may reklamo na mag-execute sila ng affidavit o mag-file ng formal complaint. Hindi namin ito kinokonsenti at pinagsasabihan namin ang beneficiary na walang kahit sino na makakabawas sa assistance na ibinibigay sa kanila,” according to Joselito Estember, DSWD 6 director.

The agency pointed out that should allegations be substantiated and proven true, the barangay has certainly done illegal.

“We have the integrity measures. That is why to prevent these similar incidents, the DSWD continues to strengthen our monitoring mechanism by installing help desks sa payout areas,” Estember said.

The barangay chairman was not at home. Neither was Delmo at the barangay hall when GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas tried looking for her for a probable interview.

Calls made by the news team were also left unanswered.