Polong hits DSWD over zero AICS fund

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Rep. Paolo “Polong” Duterte of the first district of Davao City has criticized the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for allegedly not providing his office funds for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).

Duterte said the distribution of the funds to those who seek medical assistance in his district has been stopped by the DSWD.

He said he apologized to his constituents and advised them to seek assistance from “pro-administration political groups.”

His office also stopped distributing medical assistance, he said.

Duterte clarified that he was not saying that the DSWD has run out of funds, but that the DSWD did not provide any funding to his office for distribution to his constituents who are seeking assistance.

“We just want to inform the people and we are asking for their understanding,” he said.

Reacting to Duterte’s statement, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agency does not allow local officials to distribute the government cash aid to the beneficiaries.

Gatchalian said the distribution of ayuda like the AICS is the sole responsibility of DSWD social workers.

He said the social workers are the ones who process and distribute the cash aid to AICS beneficiaries.

Gatchalian said he was not aware of the issue.

“What I know is that all our regional offices in Davao are functioning,” he said.

The AICS is one of the programs of the DSWD that provides medical, burial, transportation, education, food or financial assistance to beneficiaries. — Diana Lhyd Suelto