DSWD chief refutes claims of snubbing VP Duterte’s referrals for aid

MANILA, Philippines — Social Welfare chief Rex Gatchalian on Monday denied claims that his agency snubbed Vice President Sara Duterte’s referral requests for aid.

Speaking at the Senate’s hearing on his agency’s proposed 2025 funding, Gatchalian said he was willing to show messages exchanged between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to disprove such allegations.

“Lalahatin ko na ho. Una, hindi ho pinagsasamantalahan ng DSWD ‘yung pondo ng DSWD — para sa taumbayan ho ‘yan. We agree with that.

“Number two, as we speak right now, lahat ng tanggapan namin nakabukas, araw-araw may mga lumalapit at araw-araw ina-assess ‘yan ng ating mga social worker,” Gatchalian said after Sen. Imee Marcos, who was presiding over the hearing, asked for an update regarding the matter.

(I will address all of these. First of all, we do not abuse the funds of the DSWD; this is for the people, and we agree with that. Number two, as we speak right now, all of our offices are open. Every day, people ask help from our agency, and every day our social workers assess these requests.)

According to Gatchalian, Ulysses Aguilar serves as DSWD’s Assistant Secretary and handles the referrals from the OVP.

He said Aguilar immediately communicated with OVP’s handling officers, naming a certain Director Norman.

“[Assistant Secretary Aguilar]  will gladly give the exchange of text messages kasi tinanong namin sa kanya ano ba yung isyu para alam namin ano yung titingnan. In fact, ang sabi niya wala rin ho siyang alam kasi lahat naman ng referral daw nila ay malugod namin tinatanggap,” Gatchalian said.

(Aguilar will gladly give the exchange of text messages because we asked him what the issue was so that we know what we will look into. In fact, he said he doesn’t know about it either because, according to him, they gladly accept all their referrals.)

“We can furnish you the screenshots, but we have to ask permission of Director Norman if he will also consent,” Gatchalian added.

READ: OVP says 1.5M beneficiaries get aid through satellite, extension offices 

Gatchalian likewise committed to sending a copy of a plaque that the DSWD received from the OVP in mid-2024. He said the plaque recognizes that DSWD is a valued partner of the OVP, having helped the latter’s referrals.