Bacolod, N. Mindanao village chiefs face raps
MORE SAP ANOMALIES
THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed antigraft charges against nine village officials in Northern Mindanao in connection with the distribution of the government’s cash aid under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
Col. Harold Ramos, CIDG regional director in Northern Mindanao, said some officials came from Baungon in Bukidnon and Bulua in Cagayan de Oro City.
He said that the village officials have reportedly violated the government’s SAP, which that provides financial assistance to displaced families because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In Bacolod City, three more village captains and other village officials are facing charges for alleged anomalies in their distribution of cash assistance under the SAP.
The provincial CIDG has filed charges against the village chiefs of Barangay 19 in Bacolod City, Barangay Tooy in Himamaylan and Barangay Matab-ang in Talisay City.
Facing charges are village captain Kim Piramo, barangay secretary Joemarie Cordeta, village treasurer Raiza Fronda, and Jean Doromal, a village health worker.
Police chief master Sgt. Ramiro Gocotano, CIDG officersaid 12 residents of Barangay 19 filed a joint affidavit against the village officials.
Gocotano added that the allegations against Piramo is based on claims of complainants that he “prioritized members of his family instead of of those who need it.”
The complainants were Loreto Tipanad, Renato Sindico, Angelita Divinagracia, Aracelli Ortiz, Irish Cristy Demandar, Rosalie Jorbina, Wellen Marie, Leony Limson, Valentino Ebon and Rondy Rocero.
In Himamaylan City, the CIDG also filed charges against village chief Tezardo Tejada; barangay secretary Josephine Mongcal; Jerelyn Gomez, barangay health worker/liaison officer; Ma. Cristina Nifraz; BHW/liaison officer; and Gina Ortega, daycare worker/ liaison officer.
Five residents of Barangay Tooy were surveyed by the village officers in the first week of April and made to sign documents to declare their monthly income.
But during the distribution of SAP grants on April 29, these residents were not on the list and have not received the financial aid, Gocotano said.
According to the CIDG officerin- charge, the complainants inquired on April 30 with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and found out that their stated monthly incomes were forged.
The complainants declared that their monthly income were P5,000, P6,000 and P7,000, in the documents that they signed. These figures, however, were changed to P15,000, P16,000, and P17,000 in the DSWD records.
A “1” was added before the original data, Gocotano said.
A tricycle driver claimed that his monthly income in the document he had signed was P7,000, but there was an erasure and his monthly income was reflected as P9,000, disqualifying him from the SAP, he added.
On the other hand, in Talisay City, Manuel Apellido Jr., chairman of Barangay Matab-ang; barangay council members Erlinda Bruno, Garry Saludares, Ronald Puson and Randy Mananquil; secretary Janelle Isabelle Legaspi; and treasurer Evelyn Cabale are also in hot water.
Apellido distributed P6,000 in SAP assistance to unqualified recipients, including his relatives.
The village officials gave priority to their personal interest, resulting in the exclusion of qualified beneficiaries, the CIDG said.