2 DSWD officials relieved following complaints of Cavite mayor

Two officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) were temporarily relieved and transferred to another office after the department received complaints from Noveleta, Cavite Mayor Dino Reyes Chua.

Mayor Chua, as disclosed by DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo in a press briefing on Thursday, Nov. 3, complained about the alleged “numerous requirements that were being asked by DSWD officials before releasing aid to his constituents.”

“Si Mayor Chua ng Noveleta, Cavite ay nagrereklamo po siya na madami raw pong hinihingi na dokumento [at] papeles ang DSWD gayong ang kanyang mga constituents ay humihingi lamang ng ayuda (Mayor Chua of Noveleta, Cavite is complaining that the DSWD is asking for a lot of documents and papers when his constituents are only asking for help),” said Tulfo

This is in contrast with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s mandate to make the distribution of aid, especially to cyclone or calamity-hit Filipinos, easier.

DSWD admitted that they, indeed, ask beneficiaries for an identification card, adding that if no IDs may be presented, their name must be on the list from their local government unit (LGU).

“We have conducted an initial investigation and the Regional Director of Region 4A [Barry Chua] and Assistant Regional Director [Myla Gatchalian] told me that those who were not given aid are not on the list. Mayor Chua, however, insisted that they are on the list,” Tulfo said in Filipino.

To address the issue while the investigation is still pending, Tulfo temporarily relieved the aforementioned officials, claiming that this would “satisfy the investigation,” further explaining that this will prevent them from “influencing” the ongoing probe.

“I am relieving two of my officials so that this does not happen again. Earlier, I issued a relief order for my two officers. [I hope] this situation does not happen again, especially now that we are in the typhoon season,” he said.

“Ang gusto natin ay maayos po ang pagbibigay ng mga ayuda, food pack o cash man ‘yan (What we want is for aid to be given properly, whether it is food pack or cash),” he reiterated.

Assistant Secretary Maritess Maristela of the Special Concerns Division will temporarily act as the Regional Director for DSWD Region 4.

Noveleta, Cavite is among the worst-hit areas following the onslaught of tropical cyclone Paeng, the country’s 16th tropical cyclone in 2022.