By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Acting swiftly on the complaint of a pregnant woman who was short-changed of her cash assistance, the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Field Office -11 (Davao Region) has assisted the victim in the filing of criminal and administrative charges against the chief of Barangay Sinawilan and a barangay kagawad allegedly involved in the deduction of P8,500 from the supposed P10,000 cash aid last June 6.

Based on the instruction of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, criminal and administrative charges have been filed before the Office of the Ombudsman in Davao City against against the chief of Barangay Sinawilan and a barangay kagawad who readily admitted in a video interview with Brigada News FM Davao that they deducted a large portion of the cash assistance received by the pregnant beneficiary Anne Villarin.

The DSWD Field Office -11 (Davao Region) assisted Villarin in the filing of criminal and administrative charges.

A complaint affidavit was also jointly executed by Villarin and DSWD FO-11 Regional Director Atty. Vanessa Goc-ong, on behalf of the Department.

The formal complaint was submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman in the Davao Region, together with the affidavit of witnesses and authentication executed by the Brigada News FM Davao reporter and Field Office-11’s Legal Assistant.

“Our office has also provided Mrs. Villarin with an additional P8,500 because she refused to accept the money being returned by the barangay officials after the post went viral,” Asst. Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Irene Dumlao, who is also the agency spokesperson, said on Friday (14 June 2024).

Villarin is the pregnant woman from Sinawilan, Matanao, Davao del Sur who complained in a video that the P10,000 she received during the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fishermen, and their Families (PAFFF) payout on June 6 in Digos City was reduced by the barangay to a measly P1,500.

In the viral video, Villarin said that after receiving the cash aid, she was informed that it was mandatory to remit the money to the Barangay Hall of Sinawilan.

“As guaranteed by Secretary Gatchalian, the barangay officials will be held accountable and be given the most harsh action. We will also ensure to maintain an open communication with Mrs. Villarin throughout the pendency of the case and to assist her as she nears the end-stage of her pregnancy,” Dumlao stressed.

(el Amigo/mnm)