BY MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City – Alleged victims of so-called “assistance cuts” involving cash aid distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) are being urged to come forward and file formal complaints with authorities.
Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson revealed receiving reports of beneficiaries being coerced into giving up a significant portion of their financial assistance to individuals claiming commissions. Allegedly, some recipients of DSWD aid amounting to P10,000 were left with only P1,000 after being forced to hand over P9,000 to an individual who supposedly facilitated their inclusion in the beneficiary list.
“In fairness to the DSWD, they have no involvement in this practice. Recipients sign the payroll as proof of receiving the full amount,” Sayson stressed.
There were reports that outside the distribution venue, beneficiaries were being told to cough up money but Sayson clarified that he could not verify the claims due to the lack of formal complaints.
Sayson emphasized the importance of filing official complaints to address the issue effectively.
“If there are victims, they need to come forward and report it to the proper authorities so action can be taken,” he said./PN
