The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday expressed full support for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in filing cases against barangay officials in Iloilo City accused of extorting money from beneficiaries of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

The DILG said exploiting families already in distress is unacceptable and violates the Marcos administration’s call for clean, compassionate, and accountable governance. The agency is coordinating with the DSWD, the Office of the Ombudsman, and other disciplining bodies to ensure a thorough investigation and to prevent similar abuses in other communities.

The department also vowed to reinforce monitoring mechanisms at the local level and encouraged the public to immediately report any irregularities in AICS distribution or any other social assistance program.

“Every peso of government aid must reach beneficiaries in full and without fear,” the DILG said. “Officials who exploit the people they are sworn to serve will be held fully accountable.”

DSWD chief decries AICS corruption

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday filed criminal complaints against 14 barangay officials in Iloilo suspected of deducting P8,000 from the P10,000 cash aid intended for AICS beneficiaries.

Gatchalian condemned the corruption that occurred during the AICS payout in several Iloilo barangays last November.

"Madalas akong natatanong, kasi may mga reports sa media na may kaltasan daw na nangyayari sa aming AICS program. Ito yung ayuda na kapag may nangangailangan ng tulong medical, burial, transportation. Ang lagi kong sinasabi, sana may mag-report kasi all we get are anecdotes. But ngayong araw na to ay kakaiba dahil meron talagang mga nag-report sa Iloilo City," Gatchalian said during the filing of cases at the Ombudsman in Quezon City.

The DSWD Field Office 6 report submitted on November 12 indicated that barangay officials allegedly took P8,000 to P9,000 from the P10,000 assistance, returning only P1,000 to P2,000 to each beneficiary.

A total of 14 local officials—including barangay captains, kagawads, treasurers, and personnel from 16 barangays—now face criminal and administrative charges, including grave misconduct, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, abuse of authority, and violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials.

"Na-revictimized yung mga victims kasi lumapit yan sa amin may crisis na [silang] pinagdadaanan, pero dito yung mga people with authority pa ang nag revictimized sa kanila," Gatchalian said.

He assured victims that DSWD social workers will reassess their cases to ensure they receive the correct assistance. The AICS program in Iloilo City has been temporarily suspended pending a deeper investigation to identify all officials involved. Distribution is set to resume in January next year.

"Maraming may akala na yung kaltasan ay nangyayari during the payout. Hindi po. Hindi po mga social workers namin ang gumagawa ng kaltasan. Nangyayari kadalasan ang harassment ng kaltasan 'pag nakalabas ka na sa secured payout site," he said, emphasizing that social workers—not barangay officials—determine eligibility for cash aid.

Gatchalian said the filing of cases should send a strong message to officials nationwide: “Huwag niyo nang tangkain, kasi we take these things seriously.”

The DSWD has recommended that the Ombudsman impose preventive suspension of one to six months on the officials involved and is preparing additional criminal cases, including grave coercion and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.