Barangay officials ask Ombudsman to probe doleout program in Daanbantayan

Local

THE Liga ng mga Barangay (LNB) in Daanbantayan town, Cebu has asked the Office of the Ombudsman to look into potential irregularities surrounding the implementation of the Ayuda sa Kapos at Kita Program (AKAP) across the town's 20 barangays.

The LNB, in a resolution passed on December 2, 2024, accused the team responsible for implementing the AKAP program of being political organizers affiliated with the office of 4th District Rep. Janice Salimbangon.

These individuals allegedly lacked qualifications and training in social work, which led to confusion and improper program execution.

Tapilon Barangay Captain Mark Anthony Luche, who also serves as LNB president, expressed concern that barangay officials were overwhelmed by requests from indigents who did not understand the process for accessing the aid.

Luche pointed out that coordination with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) had been minimal, even though the MSWDO usually verifies indigency certificates before the barangays issue them.

Luche explained that barangay officials are now facing the consequences as legitimate indigents blame them due to the confusion surrounding the process.

He added that many beneficiaries bypassed the MSWDO and went directly to the barangays to secure certificates of indigency.

The LNB also highlighted issues with the administration of the program, such as a lack of transparency in selecting beneficiaries, which resulted in the exclusion of qualified individuals.

The barangay officials criticized the absence of an official beneficiary list and insufficient communication about where and when pay-outs would occur.

Adding to the controversy, the LNB accused Rep. Salimbangon and local political candidates of using the AKAP program as a political tool by overseeing pay-out events tied to the upcoming May 2025 elections.

The LNB resolution claimed that the pay-out events were coordinated by political figures, raising concerns about the potential overlap between the aid distribution and election activities.

On December 16, 2024, the LNB formally submitted the resolution to the Ombudsman, seeking a transparent and accountable review of how the AKAP program was implemented in Daanbantayan’s barangays.

In response to the accusations, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Central Visayas (DSWD-7) issued a statement clarifying the intent and process of the controversial AKAP

The regional office assured the public that AKAP was designed as a social assistance and safety net for minimum wage and low-income earners from both the formal and informal economy, primarily to help beneficiaries cope with economic challenges such as inflation.

The DSWD-7 also highlighted that the program is funded with P26.7 billion from the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The agency emphasized that while beneficiaries could be referred by anyone, they would have to undergo verification to confirm their eligibility.

The agency clarified that recipients of other DSWD programs, such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, could qualify for AKAP, provided they met all requirements.(MyTVCebu)