Daily Tribune
Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo has ordered the reinstatement of two DSWD Calabarzon officials who were previously transferred to the central office in connection to the complaints filed by Noveleta Mayor Dino Chua.
Tulfo said that based on the result of the investigation conducted, the officers and personnel of DSWD Region 4-A have done nothing wrong in the distribution of cash aid to typhoon victims in Noveleta, Cavite last week.
The DSWD officials — identified as Region 4-A director Barry Chua and assistant director Mylah Gatchalian — was the subject of complaint by the Noveleta mayor in line with the alleged anomalous distribution of assistance.
"There is no question on the distribution of food packs to 500 individuals who lined up that day because all of them were given food," said Tulfo. "The complaint of Mayor Chua is that DSWD personnel made it hard to the people to get cash assistance on that day because they were demanding many documents from the recipients."
Tulfo explained the policy now mandates that if there is a calamity and there is no ID, the list of the local government unit beneficiaries or endorsement by the barangay is enough.
The DSWD chief said their personnel just followed these policies.
"The problem on the 500 brought by the LGU, there 200 persons that are on the list and the remaining 300 are not recognized by barangay officials who are on the payout site," Tulfo said.
He said the DSWD has to present also documents to the Commission on Audit if they ask for it.
It was just last July when Tulfo ordered the removal of the indigency and residency certificate, barangay ID and other documents as requirements in asking for aid from the DSWD in times of calamity.
The secretary stressed that LGUs are the ones who brought people at the payout site but of the 500 supposed beneficiaries, there are only 200 who have identification or on the list of the barangay while the rest are not reflected on the said list and unknown also to the barangay officials.
