"Very wrong and against human rights." This is the reaction of the director of Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center on alleged cuts made by certain barangays to food assistance for indigent beneficiaries.
The cash aid is distributed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
"That is very wrong. Pangalan ko ang nakalagay doon. Kung boluntaryong nagbigay, fine. Ngunit kung pinipilit nyo ako, hindi na makatarungan yan. Paglabag na yan sa kanyang karapatan,” Msgr. Meliton Oso, director of the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center, said in condemning the report.
Oso urged the beneficiaries not to cower in fear, but to report their predicament to the authorities.
"Sana kumilos ang Ombudsman upang maparusahan ang dapat parusahan. Managot ang dapat managot kag isigaw natin, ‘Sobra Na, Tama Na. Ikulong na si Kap,” Oso added.
To recall, a few beneficiaries in the District of Jaro complained that after receiving food assistance worth P10,000, the barangay took the P8,000.
The incident also happened allegedly in the District of Arevalo.
According to alias “Ian” of Barangay Quezon, Arevalo, he received the entire P10,000 on November 7, 2025. He was already at home in Barangay Sto. Niño Norte in Arevalo. Later, a staff member of the “punong barangay” (barangay chairman) arrived and took away the P8,000.
Alias “Ian” said it was disheartening, as the money would have been a big help for the funeral expenses of his six-month-old baby.
“Nakita nila ang sitwasyon ko dyan, kung ano ang pamumuhay ko. Nagsisikap rin ako araw-araw na maka-income upang makaalalay sa kailangan ng aking pamilya,” Ian stressed.
However, according to Barangay Quezon Chairman Visamin Cañal, he has no idea about the complaint.
“Magpa-facilitate lang kami sa kanila kung ano ang ibibigay sa kanilang benepisyo lang, AICS, yan lang ang ginagawa namin. Ngunit kung sasabihing binabawasan namin ang ibinibigay sa kanila, wala kaming ideya sa allegation na yan,” Cañal said.
Meanwhile, a message circulated online which contained an alleged order to barangay leaders of a “rehearsed answer” to members of the media who will ask about the P10,000 cash aid.
Barangay leaders were ordered to answer that beneficiaries received the full amount.
In addition, barangay leaders were promised to receive AICS cash aid by December 2025.
Though his full name was not mentioned in the message, Barangay Simon Ledesma Chairman Amadeo Sultan in Jaro District denied giving the order.
“Hindi ko ginawa yan at hindi ako naka-message. Hindi maiwasang may kaaway tayo dito sa barangay sa politika. Sinasakyan lang ang isyu ng AICS,” Sultan pointed out.
