The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reiterated its warning against unscrupulous individuals who submit fake documents in order to acquire assistance from its programs and services, including the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
“Mahigpit po naming pinapaalalahanan ang publiko na huwag gumamit ng pekeng identification cards (ID) o anumang falsified na dokumento para lamang makakuha ng tulong mula sa DSWD o sa kahit na anong ahensya ng gobyerno. Ito po ay mahigpit na ipinagbabawal at may kaukulang pananagutan sa ilalim ng ating Revised Penal Code,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, said on Saturday (February 14).
The stern warning was made following an incident last February 11 wherein a social worker from the DSWD’s Field Office (FO) National Capital Region (NCR) intercepted a male client who was attempting to seek medical assistance under the AICS program.
The client presented a fake persons with disability ID card during his interview and his statements during the interview did not match the documents that he submitted.
“Habang iniinterview ang nasabing kliyente, umamin po sya sa aming social worker na peke ang kanyang mga dokumento kaya’t agad siyang inireport ng DSWD FO NCR sa Barbosa Police Station (PS-14) para ipa-blotter,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao also warned that any unscrupulous individuals who take advantage of government aid will be dealt with accordingly, including the filing of criminal charges.
“Ang mga programa ng gobyerno ay para sa mga tunay na nangangailangan. Sa paggamit ng pekeng dokumento, hindi lamang batas ang nilalabag, kundi ay inaagawan din ng pagkakataon ang mga lehitimo na kliyente na mabigyan ng karampatang tulong. Dahil dito, hindi magdadalawang-isip ang DSWD na magsampa ng kaso laban sa sinumang mapatunayang gumagamit ng mga pekeng dokumento,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out.
The DSWD spokesperson also urged the public to report any individuals using fake documents to law enforcement authorities to help prevent fraud.
“Hinihikayat po namin ang publiko na maging mapagmatyag at ireport ang anumang kahina-hinalang gawain sa ating mga kapulisan o sa kahit anong law enforcement agency para mapanatili ang integridad ng mga programa ng DSWD,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said. (AKDL)
