Legazpi City – The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol warned the public against bogus validators whose taking advantage of the ongoing validation in the region by selling medicines posing as the agency’s field validators.
The report emanated from concerned residents and victims along with the barangay officials of barangays Sagrada and San Vicente in Iriga City, Camarines Sur.
The victims were accordingly “surveyed” by two men who introduced themselves as the staff of the DSWD. The fake validators are asking several questions, appearing to be really validating.
As the interview progresses, they asked the respondent to buy medicines worth Php 1,499.00 which are according to them is exclusive to Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries at a promo price of Php 499.00. Moreover, a complimentary raffle ticket will be given once they avail the promo, with a promising prize of house and lot from Camella.
The DSWD immediately notified the local government unit of Iriga City about the incident and secured their commitment to take actions on the matter to stop them from further deceiving the public.
Meanwhile, DSWD Regional Director Arnel Garcia said that DSWD does not collect any fee or sell products to the public to make them eligible beneficiaries to any program of the agency.
Garcia also said that the official validators wear big identification cards with their name, photo duly signed by him.
They conduct house to house interviews to update and check the information of the households to be included as beneficiaries of the UCT.
The DSWD advised the public to report any similar case to the Area Supervisors and Area Coordinators assigned in the provinces or thru the Municipal/ City Social Welfare and Development Offices.
They can also send an email to fo5@dswd.gov.ph or message on its official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/dswdfo5 or call at 052-480-5670.
The validation which started in March this year is the eligibility check mechanism of the agency for the Unconditional Cash Transfer Program (UCT), which aims to ensure that households who will benefit from the program belongs to the poorest 1st to 7th income deciles and will be able to physically receive grants.
Listahanan is an information management that identifies who and where the poor are. It makes a comprehensive database of poor families which serves as a basis for identifying beneficiaries of social protection programs. (with report from Donna Osial, PO II & Area Supervisor-Camarines Sur)###