DSWD-XI issues public advisory

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 22 – An incident report in Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental was filed on January 17, 2015 when a certain Bernardo Baylosis Cusilit Jr. introduced himself as National Chapter Coordinator of Full House Multi-purpose Cooperative (FHMC), together with a certain Vanessa Japson Majaras (alleged Provincial Coorndinator), Ricky Dugaduga (alleged Overall National Coordinator), Alberto Solibral Lingganay and Leticia Villamor Lingganay (alleged Municipal Coordinators).

The said group falsely introduced the Pantawid Gutom Program as a program accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

On January 12, 2015, the alleged group conducted a meeting at Barangay Tibanban, Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental. The group supposedly informed that Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries are entitled to apply for a Php 20,000.00 loan amount, as well as, free education and hospitalization privileges if they apply for a membership with a P 5.00 membership fee and P 350.00 ATM card processing fee.

A police blotter was already filed with the Governor Generoso Police Station on January 17, 2015. Furthermore, the DSWD Regional Office XI issued a Certificate of No Engagement emphasizing that FHMC and its so-called “Pantawid Gutom Program” is not in any way connected with the department.

 “The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) urges everyone to be cautious and vigilant,” said Priscilla N. Razon, DSWD Regional Director.

“DSWD identifies the beneficiaries for its poverty-reduction programs through the Listahanan or the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) where assessment of households in qualified municipalities is conducted by DSWD enumerators to identify who and where the poor are. The poorest households in the municipalities will be enumerated, interviewed and validated.

DSWD will never ask money from these families nor promise them that they will be included in any DSWD programs,” RD Razon added.

For questions or complaints, visit the Pantawid Pamilya offices located in all cities/municipalities all over the region. Information may also be directly obtained from the Pantawid Pamilya City/Municipal Links assigned in every barangay, or by texting the DSWD Pantawid Pamilya grievance hotline at 0918-912-2813. (DSWD-XI)