By Chito Chavez
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño on Tuesday claimed the strong possibility of collusion in the irregular distribution of subsidies under the social amelioration program (SAP).
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño
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He issued the statement in an interview over GMA News as mounting SAP-related distribution complaints in the DILG have reached over 2,000.
Diño felt that there was conspiracy among the rogue city/municipal and social welfare officials in connection with the SAP irregularities.
He asserted that his belief has basis as the DILG got complaints against personnel and officials of local governments and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“Ang barangay, naka-assist lang. Ang nagpapamigay ng pera, ang mga taga-city hall o kaya taga-munisipyo. Sabwatan 'yan (The barangays are merely there to assist. The cash distributions are done by the city or municipal personnel. That is collusion),” he added.
On Monday, President Duterte offered a P30,000 reward for every person who could give information on corrupt officials committing irregularities in the distribution of the cash assistance.
In a live telecast, Duterte lashed out at Barangay Councilor Danilo Flores of Barangay Agustin in Hagonoy, Bulacan for allegedly pocketing more than half of the P6,000 cash aid for the poor in his turf.
On orders of the President, Diño said the DILG already directed the arrest of Flores.
Diño said that Flores told the poor beneficiaries of the barangay that the deducted sum is for the mayor and barangay chairman.
Hagonoy Mayor Raulito Manlapaz denied Flores’s allegations.
Diño said that Flores will immediately be detained for two months citing a provision under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act which was approved due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He warned the personnel and officials in the local government units and DSWD that they will suffer the same fate if anomalies are committed in the distribution of the cash assistance.
Diño said that the public will now be more vigilant in running after the throats of the deceitful, dishonest and corrupt government officials with the President offering a P30,000 reward for any information regarding their illicit SAP-related activities.
Currently, Diño said that they have received around 100 reports against barangay officials facing no less than 20 complaints each with show cause orders have been issued against them, he added.
Diño said that government officials who are involved in mishandling the fund will face imprisonment and fine of up to P1 million.