The mayor of Victorias City in Negros Occidental, in an official statement, disclosed that over 150 beneficiaries complained against alleged kickbacks made to the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) cash aid on the first week of December 2025.

Victorias City Mayor Abelardo Bantug III said that the beneficiaries raised their complaints against the alleged modus made to the cash aid.

The Local Government Unit (LGU) has received pieces of evidence, including screenshots and voice recordings of the transaction.

“These reports have left us frustrated, saddened, and deeply concerned. What should have been an opportunity for relief and support for our constituents was instead tainted by exploitation and abuse,” the mayor's statement read.

“To ensure that justice is pursued, we have already taken decisive action. I have directed our CSWD [City Social Welfare and Development] personnel to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation. Our CSWD has strongly urged all victims or witnesses to come forward and file their complaints directly at the CSWD office,” it added.

“More than 150 individuals came forward to formally file their complaints. With the assistance of our CSWD head and legal officer, we have prepared their sworn statements. We have also gathered videos, audio recordings, and screenshots of conversations between the complainants and the persons responsible. These pieces of evidence will be consolidated and formally endorsed to the regional office for the filing of the appropriate criminal case against those involved,” the statement read further.

The complaints were endorsed to the Department of Social Welfare and Development Negros Island Region (DSWD NIR) office and is being investigated, as of this writing.

According to DSWD NIR, beneficiaries complained that they received P2,000 only instead of P10,000.

The agency is open to other beneficiaries for their complaints.

“I requested our team to come up with incident report related doon sa allegations. If meron talagang complaints, we are very much willing to accept kung merong documented na complaints,” said Arwin Razo, regional director of DSWD.

In addition, an employee of the Negros Occidental Provincial Government accused of participation in the modus is also being investigated.

“In the process of investigation, meron diyan isang Contract of Service (COS) or casual na na-hire ng Provincial Government of Negros Occidental. Kung merong reason na idisiplina siya and is brought to the level of Governor [Eugenio Jose] Bong Lacson, we will investigate,” Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II, provincial administrator of Negros Occidental, said.