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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DSWD cracks down on cash aid cuts in Iloilo

DSWD cracks down on cash aid cuts in Iloilo

Published Nov 26, 2025 01:45 pm
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it will file charges against barangay officials in Iloilo City who allegedly pocketed large portions of the cash assistance intended for beneficiaries of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
DSWD Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations Paul Ledesma, who heads the agency’s special fact-finding team, said they are determined to hold all involved local officials accountable.
“We are very serious about this. The people have suffered enough—biktima na ‘yan, bibiktimahin mo ulit. Tapos ngayon kung ano ba, i-threaten mo pa. Parang sobra na,” Ledesma said, referring to the complaints (They are already victims, and then you victimize them again. And now, you even threaten them. This is too much),” he said on Nov. 25.
The team confirmed that at least 27 beneficiaries received only P2,000 of the P10,000 cash aid allotted to them, with barangay officials reportedly taking the remaining P8,000, or 80 percent, per payout.
Ledesma said he will recommend that future AICS distributions begin with mandatory orientations so beneficiaries are fully aware of the exact amount they should receive and understand that no barangay official is allowed to take any portion of the aid.
“I think that's one recommendation we'll give. Every time we give a payout, the DSWD should first conduct a talk or orientation. What is this program? Who is it for? It is for you. This is not for your barangay or your barangay officials to share. It is personally for you,” he added.
He is also set to recommend to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian the temporary suspension of off-site AICS payouts in barangays where anomalies are most prevalent, pending the resolution of the cases.
Payouts held at DSWD field offices or in controlled venues will continue, as these have not been affected by irregularities.
Initial findings showed the deductions in Barangays Quintin Salas and Jaro in Iloilo City were not isolated cases.
Reports from Iloilo, Capiz, and nearby provinces indicated that the scheme has been happening quietly for years.
“It has been going on in almost all our payouts since the pandemic and it's not only in Iloilo. I received reports that there are also cases in Capiz and other provinces. So, in short, it's kind of widespread,” Ledesma said.
The fact-finding team has so far documented complaints involving nine barangays and 13 barangay officials.
More complainants are expected to come forward once initial charges are filed.
Ledesma described the alleged pay-off system as “systemic,” noting that similar amounts were collected and that some officials even returned to adjust previous deductions, an indication of command and control.
The DSWD also said some beneficiaries were allegedly threatened with losing future assistance if they cooperated with investigators or the media.

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