“Kami po ay nakikipag-coordinate sa DILG laban sa opisyales ng lokal na pamahalaan [na mapapatunayang nagkasala], ang DILG ang may awtoridad para sila ay disiplinahin at bigyan ng karampatang parusa (We are coordinating with the DILG against local government officials who will be found guilty. The agency has the authority to discipline and file charges against erring public servants),” he said in an online presser.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday announced a PHP30,000 cash reward to any person who will give information that will lead to the arrest of local officials involved in the corruption of funds intended for recipients of SAP.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to immediately investigate reported anomalies in relation to SAP distribution like splitting or not giving the correct amount.
Earlier, a report helped with the arrest of a barangay kagawad in Hagonoy, Bulacan who allegedly pocketed more than half of the SAP cash aid intended for his poor constituents.
“I am directing PNP units all over the country and also requesting the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to prioritize the investigation of graft and corruption cases against local officials on SAP distribution. Greedy and corrupt officials should have no place in the government. They are carriers of a malignant virus that destroys the trust the people gave to them,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said.
He said the alleged illegal acts of Barangay Kagawad Danilo Flores, 66, of Barangay San Agustin in Hagonoy, Bulacan is “disgraceful and downright shameful” as public officials should be the ones helping poor families especially during the present Covid-19 crisis.
“It's a shame. The SAP funds came from government coffers intended for those who need them most and those who lost their livelihoods amid the crisis. These funds should not be pocketed by officials of the government,” he said in Filipino.
Flores was caught on video telling SAP financial aid recipients that they would only get PHP3,000 of the cash aid and that the remaining PHP3,500 would be given to the town mayor for distribution to non-SAP beneficiaries.
However, Hagonoy Mayor Raulito Manlapaz denied Flores’ claims and denied any involvement.
The video went viral on social media which prompted DSWD personnel to seek police assistance.
Flores was arrested on Saturday night for violation of Sec. 3 (b) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and for violation of the Bayanihan Act.
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Hotline 16545
Meanwhile, Bautista reiterated that all grievances related to the SAP implementation will be managed and monitored by the DSWD Central Office-Operations Center through its 24/7 hotline number 16545.The OpCen shall receive complaints and ensure proper referencing and reporting to concerned offices for validation and/or investigation.
The concerned office is required to respond to the said report within 24 hours from receipt.
DSWD, he said, ensures that government resources are given to rightful beneficiaries especially those who need the services the most during these critical times.
As emphasized in Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, the subsidy shall be given to low-income families, assessed to be most affected by the imposition of community quarantine, given their existing life situations or circumstances.
Such families but who are not in the initial list of beneficiaries may file an appeal with their respective Local Social Welfare and Development Offices (LSWDOs) within three days from the start of the payout or distribution of SAP in their barangay.
The LSWDO shall then submit the consolidated appeals to the concerned DSWD Field Office for evaluation within three days.
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