PNA
MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reiterated its warning against unscrupulous individuals who submit fake documents to acquire assistance from its programs and services, including the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
“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 (We are sternly reminding the public not to use fake IDs or any falsified documents to apply for assistance from the DSWD or any government agency. This is strictly prohibited and carries appropriate punishment under the Revised Penal Code),” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in a statement on Saturday.
The warning was made after an incident on Feb. 11 wherein a social worker from the DSWD – National Capital Region (NCR) intercepted a male client who was attempting to seek medical assistance under the AICS program.
The client presented a fake person with disability (PWD) ID card during his interview, and his statements did not match the documents he submitted.
“Habang ini-interview ang nasabing kliyente, umamin po sya sa aming social worker na peke ang kanyang mga dokumento kaya’t agad siyang inireport ng DSWD FO (field office) NCR sa Barbosa Police Station para ipa-blotter (The client admitted to the social worker that his documents were fake. The DSWD-NCR immediately reported the incident to the Barbosa Police Station for it to be recorded in the police blotter),” Dumlao said.
She 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 (Government programs are for the needy. By using fake documents, they not only violate the law, they are also depriving legitimate clients of the opportunity to be given the proper assistance. Because of this, the DSWD will not hesitate to file cases against anyone using fake documents),” she said.
Dumlao also called on 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 (We urge the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police or any law enforcement agency to maintain the integrity of DSWD programs),” she said. (PNA)
