DILG warns public vs swindlers using Año’s name

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday warned the public about individuals or groups going around the country using the name of DILG OIC-Secretary Eduardo Año to bag business deals for their company’s safety products.

In an advisory, the DILG said a certain Jesselyn Gavierez of Safecon Industries allegedly offered deals to building contractors and housing developers using Año’s name and that of the Department.

The suspect allegedly offered to facilitate the release of Fire Safety Inspection Certificates (FSIC) and Occupancy Permits in exchange for purchasing their company’s safety products like fire extinguishers

“Ms. Jesselyn Gavierez is not connected with the DILG nor any of its attached agencies. I did not endorse her nor her company or any other person for that matter,” Año said in a statement.

The DILG also directed the immediate investigation into Gavierez’s reported “namedropping” and other similar activities using the name of the department’s chief.

DILG Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya also encouraged victims swindled by Gavierez or other people using the same modus operandi to report such incidents to authorities immediately.

Malaya explained that the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Act prohibits officials and employees of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) from selling or recommending specific brands of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment to any applicant.

“Any BFP official or employee found violating the EODB Act shall be punishable by imprisonment of one year to six years and a penalty of not less than P500,000 but not more than P2,000,000,” he said.   /vvp