The Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) verified the authenticity of “Jean Cabang, 47 years old, living at Brgy. Concepcion Uno, Marikina City” who allegedly received cash-for-work assistance from the Department without actually working for it.
In a story published at Journal.com on May 1, 2016, the DSWD program under the cash-for-work (CFW) scheme was allegedly used to buy votes for Marikina 1st District Representative Marcy Teodoro who is now running against the candidacy of the incumbent Mayor of the City.
Also based on the said story, Mrs. Cabang also expressed willingness to sign an affidavit to prove that she received the cash for the CFW project which is placed inside a white envelope with a label of “DSWD assistance.”
Meanwhile, upon checking in the DSWD-NCR payroll signed by the beneficiaries, there was no “Jean Cabang” included in it, however, DSWD-NCR still validated in the area and asked some of the beneficiaries.
Per verification, one of the beneficiaries residing along Shoe Avenue, Concepcion, Marikina City denied the allegation and even narrated the process they have undergone to be included in CFW project.
The beneficiary is aware that she is included among its beneficiaries because they were among the victims of typhoon Ondoy and Lando. She also affirmed that they received their CFW assistance after cleaning the F. Torres St., and the surroundings of Brgy. Concepcion from April 18-21, 2016 from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Including the day of their orientation on April 17, 2016, the beneficiaries worked for five (5) days which amounts to P1,800.00 each or P360 per day or 75% of the current minimum wage in NCR as based on the guidelines on the implementation of the DSWD’s Protective Service Program per Memorandum Circular No. 04, Series of 2015.
According to the documentation of DSWD-NCR, there is no payout conducted at the house/ district office of Mr. Teodoro for the distribution of salaries of the beneficiaries.
The payouts for the CFW beneficiaries of Marikina District 1 residents for a recently conducted project that aims to lessen the occurrence of flooding through cleaning of sidewalks, creeks, canals and all other waterways possible including repainting of school fences, were done in the following venues:
April 29, 2016 –New Multipurpose Hall, Eustaquio St., Manotoc Subdivision, Sto Niño Marikina City and 3rd flr rooftop Sangley Bldg. E. Dela Paz St., Brgy. Sto. Niño, Marikina City
April 30, 2016 – Sangley Bldg, Sto. Niño, Marikina City and Boy Nita Resort J.P. Laurel St., Brgy. San Roque
May 1,2 and 3, 2016 – New Multipurpose hall, Eustaquio St. Manotoc Subdivision, Sto.Niño, Marikina and 3rd flr rooftop Sangley Bldg. E. Dela Paz St., Brgy. Sto. Niño, Marikina City
Before distributing the salaries, DSWD staff reiterates that the CFW is a program of the Department and not by any politician and ensures that no campaign materials are posted or being distributed in the payout site. No presence of politician and their staff are being allowed during the payout.
Against the content of the above-mentioned stories that the beneficiaries are just signing in a log-book then they will receive their salaries, beneficiaries are actually affixing their signature in a payroll(an official document used in liquidating the cash advance for the payment) beside their name before the cash will be handed to them.
DSWD-NCR stands firm that the programs of the Department remain apolitical, non-partisan and independent from political candidates, with sheer intention to assist the needs of the poor, marginalized and vulnerable sectors of the society.###