ILOILO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-6 has warned barangay officials in Western Visayas against deducting financial assistance for beneficiaries of government programs.

BENEFICIARIES of government cash assistance should receive the full amount, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said.
“The amount being received by the beneficiary cannot be deducted,” Carmelo Nochete, DSWD-6 director, said following complaints that cash aid disbursed by DSWD, particularly through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), are not being released in full by barangays officials to some beneficiaries in Iloilo and Aklan provinces.
Nochete said that groups or individuals, including barangay officials, are not authorized to deduct any amount from the AICS and only those who are qualified can receive the aid.
DSWD-6 said that they are a non-partisan government agency and they do not endorse any candidate or political group.
The agency reminded beneficiaries of its programs that no local official can remove them and only they can delist those who are no longer qualified.