Over yolanda aid masterlist: Mayor, social welfare officer ordered to answer complaint

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has ordered the mayor and social welfare officer of Daanbantayan to answer the complaint filed by a former councilor over the alleged removing of names of Yolanda survivors from the list of beneficiaries of the Emergency Shelter Assistance fund.

The order dated September 17 and signed by Jane Aguilar, officer-in-charge of the Evaluation and Investigation Office, is addressed to Mayor Augusto Corro and Heide Aplece.

“Finding enough basis to proceed with the criminal and administrative adjudication of the aforementioned cases, respondents are hereby ordered to file their counter-affidavits within 10 days from receipt thereof,” read the order.

Renato Benatiro in August filed against Corro and Aplece complaints for malversation of public funds, graft and corrupt practice, grave misconduct, oppression, conduct unbecoming of a public servant, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service.

Benatiro also filed a separate complaint for threats and grave coercion against Corro.

Benatiro, a resident of Tapilon, Daanbantayan, alleged that the respondents changed the master list of beneficiaries of the ESA fund after the Department of Social Welfare and Development approved the request for funding, based on the original master list the town submitted.

He alleged further that the respondents misappropriated the ESA fund by overhauling the certified original master list of beneficiaries.

Benatiro’s house was among those damaged by typhoon Yolanda that hit the country last November 8, 2013.

DSWD reportedly assured typhoon survivors that those whose houses were “totally damaged” would receive P30,000 while those whose houses were “partially damaged” would be given P10,000.

In February, the DSWD main office downloaded P425,870 million as ESA fund to Daanbantayan, which Corro confirmed.

According to Benatiro, if the updated list would be followed, there would be a huge excess in the funds the DSWD main office had approved.

Corro has earlier denied removing names from the list. — Gregg M. Rubio/NSA (FREEMAN)