Davao del Sur village execs charged

MANILA, Philippines — Charges have been filed against barangay officials in Matanao, Davao del Sur for allegedly deducting P8,500 from the P10,000 cash aid received from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on June 6.

Vanessa Goc-Ong, DSWD director for Davao region, accompanied Anne Villarin in filing criminal and administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against the village chief and council member of Barangay Sinawilan.

In a video that has gone viral, Villarin complained that she received only P1,500 during the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fishermen and their Families payout.

The victim said she was told that it was mandatory to ”remit” the money to the barangay hall.

DSWD Rex Gatchalian has ordered a probe and the filing of the cases against the barangay officials.

“As soon as we saw the victim complaining online, we sent our social workers to her,” Gatchalian said, adding that social workers were able to verify the complaint.

He earlier said the DSWD-Davao office would be the co-complainant in the charges that would be filed against the barangay officials.

Gatchalian has urged recipients of the agency’s cash aids to be vigilant against unscrupulous elements who may take advantage of them.  

He said DSWD cash grants are for the beneficiaries only and not even government officials should take part in it.