Abang Lingkod Partylist on Saturday, Dec. 13, said it has identified a person who allegedly solicited money from Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) beneficiaries in Barangay 21, Victorias City in Negros Occidental.
They received disturbing reports that in Barangay 21, certain individuals had been using the name of Abang Lingkod to solicit money from beneficiaries, the partylist group said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.
“Abang Lingkod categorically denies any involvement in this activity. We strictly prohibit the solicitation in exchange for assistance,” it said.
“We have and will never sanction or instruct individuals to ask for money from beneficiaries. Abang Lingkod will not tolerate such acts,” it said.
On receiving reports of irregularities, Abang Lingkod said it immediately launched an investigation.
“Our preliminary findings identified Ms. Marivic Oñate as the individual responsible for such an unauthorized act,” its statement said.
Abang Lingkod only entrusted her to encourage and assist in the dissemination of information and requirements targeting those people in need, it said.
“We confronted Ms. Oñate, who admitted to the act. She claimed her intention was to pool funds to share with applicants who were disqualified,” the Abang Lingkod statement said.
“We have firmly informed her that regardless of the good intent, this practice is strictly prohibited and unauthorized. Ms. Oñate has assured the office that all collected monies have been returned to the respective beneficiaries,” it added.
The Abang Lingkod Partylist said it wishes to clarify that the final approval of beneficiaries rest solely and exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Abang Lingkod does not possess the authority to approve final beneficiaries, it said.
“Our record indicates all funds allocated for these 174 approved beneficiaries were fully released during the distribution in Barangay 21. This data is a matter of public record and may be verified directly with DSWD”, it added.
“Rest assured that we remain vigilant, and any future recurrence will not go unnoticed,” Abang Lingkod said.*