MANILA residents from Barangay 20 in Tondo who were affected by the recent typhoon claimed that the head of the Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) had an outburst which the latter quickly denied and blamed the barangay chairman for the entire brouhaha.
Some residents recorded the incident which was subsequently posted on social media, showing MDSW head Jay dela Fuente having an angry fit at an evacuation center in front of typhoon victims, where he repeatedly told the residents, “wala kaming ibibigay sa inyo,” with an instruction that they should clear the center before 1 p.m., at one point even looking for the police, directing them and the social workers to guide the residents out.
‘Lalabas na po tayo. Tapos na po. Wala po kaming ibibigay sa inyo pakiusap lang. Nasan na ‘yung mga kapulisan natin?… Kumain na ba to? Kumain na pala kayo eh. Tapos na po.Meron kaming mas malaking problema sa Smokey Mountain. Meron dung landslide pakiusap lang ha gagabayan kayo ng mga social worker. Wala kaming ibibigay sa inyo nakakain na kayo ang pakiusap ko lang lumabas na tayo, Sige po, labas na po labas na tayo,” Dela Fuente told them.
After ending his appeal, Dela Fuente then admonished the barangay chairman present, whom he said caused the residents to flock to the center despite the already good weather because of the false announcement he made that there will be a financial assistance.
Dela Fuente said that he did not have an outburst and that he was merely speaking loudly because he was addressing a large crowd which, by then, already swelled to about 400 because of expectations that there will be financial aid.
Dela Fuente stressed that he had to clarify several times that they will not give anything anymore, after reports reaching his office said that the barangay chairman in the area had announced that there will be a distribution of financial assistance, without first clarifying with his office and causing the people to flock even if the weather was already sunny.
According to Dela Fuente, he had to admonish the barangay chairman for making such a false announcement and encroaching on the job of the MDSW, as he noted that at least 400 residents flocked to the center because of the false promise of ‘ayuda.’
The financial assistance being given, he added, is for fire victims and those who have been totally displaced, while those affected by high tide, such as those in the said evacuation center at that time, are provided with temporary shelter and meals.
It was learned that barangay chairman concerned is now being investigated for the said incident.
