The Department of Social Welfare and Development is set to investigate Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim that the DSWD has rejected referrals made by her office for people seeking emergency medical, burial and educational assistance.

Duterte, who is seeking a P2.037 billion budget for the OVP in 2025, earlier rejected a proposal by Sen. Risa Hontiveros to lodge the budget of OVP flagship programs with line agencies who have similar existing programs.

The Vice President said referrals made by her office to the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations were rejected “[dahil] kalaban ‘yan.”

“Kapag meron kaming rinerefer o binibigyan ng endorsemend na AICS sa DSWD, kadalasan na sagot po sa amin ay hindi puwede dahil galing ‘yan sa Office of the Vice President at kalaban ‘yan,’” she said in a Senate budget hearing.

“Minsan po, totoo ‘yan na napupulitika ang assistance para sa ating mga kababayan,” she added.

At least 87.98 percent of the OVP’s proposed P2.037 billion budget will go to medical and burial assistance, Libreng Sakay, disaster relief operations, relief for individuals in crisis and emergencies (R.I.C.E.) and other programs. 

In response, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said he has assigned someone to get in contact with the OVP to get the full details “para maimbestigahan namin kung ano ang nangyari para makapagbigay ang ating VP ng ganitong statement.”

He admitted there are overlaps when it comes to the different assistance programs of government offices because each agency has a limit on how much assistance they can give a person in need.

“May limitasyon ‘yung kayang ibigay ng DSWD…Nauunawaan namin na ang budget namin ay limitado pero ang pangangailangan ay halos unlimited. Unli ‘yung lumalapit. Marami talagang nangangailangan dahil hindi mo naman pinipili kung kailan ka magkakasakit,” he said.

“Natural lang na may social welfare charter o mandate ‘yung ibang mga opisina katulad ng PCSO, PAGCor, Office of the President. I personally think na kailangang respetuhin ‘yung mandato ng bawat opisina. Hindi siya redundant at hindi siya overlapping kundi complementary siya. Ang pagsugpo sa kahirapan kailangan whole of nation approach hindi kaya ng isang departamento lang,” he added.

In the interview, Gatchalian noted all persons seeking assistance in DSWD offices nationwide are assessed by government social workers even without a referral.

“Pinadali na ang requirements (ng mga humihingi ng tulong sa DSWD). Halimbawa, kailangan mo ng medical assistance, una, dalhin mo ang national ID or any type of government ID. Pangalawa, dalhin mo ‘yung promissory note na pinirmahan mo sa hospital or any type na patunay na may utang ka sa isang ospital,” he said.

He noted the last Pulse Asia report showed DSWD as one of 3 top performing government offices with high trust ratings at 74 percent.