Lawmaker asked to probe own staff over funds

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Western Visayas region is asking Guimaras Representative JC Rahman Nava to investigate his own staff for reportedly retaining some amount of the P25,000 financial assistance given to a client in the island province.

The issue erupted recently after client Isabel Galon Cataluña complained that the DSWD release of P25,000 was apportioned by a staff of Nava and only gave her P7,000 as financial assistance for eye surgery of her father Nilo Galon.

DSWD regional director Evelyn Macapobre said that after the check release on March 8, it is already beyond their control on what the recipient is doing with the financial assistance check. The regional official assured that her office will cooperate with the office of the congressman in the investigation.

Macapobre said that DSWD provides aid to local government units along social welfare and development projects, and has done its part in facilitating and releasing the financial assistance as requested by the client.

One of the means of augmentation is by releasing medical, burial, and transportation assistance through the Aids for Individuals in Crisis Situation of the department.

Source of funds are from the regular budget of DSWD and the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of congressmen.

The complainant said that a certain Mylene and Salve from the office Nava insisted that Check No. 0345607 be encashed by buying groceries at the Southern Trading in Barangay Alibjon, Jordan, Guimaras instead at the Land Bank of the Philippines in Iloilo City.

The two staff finally gave P7,000 to the complainant, saying the rest of the money will go to other individuals asking for financial assistance from Nava.

Macapobre said the DSWD strives to extend the best service to its clients to help individuals in crisis situation.