Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured the public that the agency remains committed to assisting all those in need, whether or not they have referral letters from public officials.
Gatchalian made this assurance in response to concerns raised by Vice President Sara Duterte on Aug. 20 about the potential politicization of government assistance.
“Mayroon kasi tayong policy sa DSWD na lahat ng pupunta sa aming tanggapan, whether may referral o walang referral, basta nangangailangan at tumuntong sa aming tanggapan, tutulungan at tutulungan natin,” he said.
(We have a policy at DSWD that anyone who comes to our office, whether with a referral or without, will be assisted if they are in need and approach our office).
To address the specific concerns regarding alleged politicization, Gatchalian said the DSWD will contact Vice President Duterte’s office to gather detailed information and investigate any potential violations.
“Ang gagawin namin is to get in touch with her office to get the full details para ma-imbestigahan namin kung may infraction na nagawa ang aming tao,” he said.
(We will get in touch with her office to obtain the full details so we can investigate if there has been any infraction committed by our personnel).