The Department of Social Welfare and Development warned the public against individuals posing as disaster victims to obtain government aid, after a man allegedly pretended to be a survivor of the building collapse in Angeles City, Pampanga.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the department is coordinating with law enforcement authorities and studying possible criminal charges against the individual, who reportedly claimed assistance meant for legitimate victims of the May 24 collapse in Barangay Balibago.
“Mahigpit pong ipinapaalala ng DSWD na ang tulong ng gobyerno ay nakalaan para sa mga tunay na biktima at nangangailangan. Ang sinumang mapatutunayang nagsinungaling o nagpanggap upang makatanggap ng ayuda ay mananagot po sa ilalim po ng ating mga umiiral na batas,” Dumlao said Saturday, May 30.
Based on the initial report of DSWD Field Office 3, the man claimed he was buying a drink at a nearby store when the under-construction building collapsed. However, validation later showed he was not a resident of the area and had no connection to the construction site or to any of the victims.
Dumlao, who also serves as DSWD spokesperson, confirmed that the individual was able to receive assistance from the agency’s Central Luzon office.
“Nakikipag-ugnayan po tayo ngayon sa mga awtoridad habang pinag-aaralan ang mga posibleng kasong maaaring isampa laban po sa nasabing indibidwal. Hindi po natin palalampasin ang anumang pagtatangka na ilihis ang limitadong resources na para po sana sa mga tunay na biktima ng trahedya,” she said.
The DSWD said its Field Office 3 continues to assist verified victims and families affected by the collapse, including the distribution of hygiene kits, ready-to-eat food packs, family food packs, and P10,000 cash relief assistance for qualified beneficiaries.
The agency has also provided psychosocial support and other interventions for survivors and bereaved families.
Dumlao said the DSWD remains coordinated with the Angeles City government and the Pampanga provincial government to ensure the timely delivery of aid and services to affected residents.
As of 6 am Saturday, May 30, the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Communication report showed that P916,782.50 worth of assistance had been provided to 152 individuals affected by the incident.