Socorro ‘cult’ members among the recipients of DSWD’s programs

MANILA, Philippines — At least 7,000 members of Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) at Sitio Kapihan in Surigao del Norte have so far benefitted from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s programs.

This was disclosed by Sen. Imee Marcos during the early Wednesday morning plenary debates in the Senate after she was asked by Sen. Risa Hontiveros what interventions are being done to help dwellers in SBSI who were once placed under the palm of alleged cult leader Jey Rence “Senior Agila” Quilario.

“The truth is, almost 7,000 DSWD clients were helped in Socorro with fund utilization of P25 million. This was divided into cash for work [and] they were given livelihood assistance,” said Marcos who was speaking on behalf of DSWD’s as the agency’s budget sponsor.

READ: Charges filed vs leader, members of Surigao ‘cult’

According to Marcos, the DSWD has also consulted forensic pathologist Norie Balderrama to talk and help SBSI dwellers cope.

“They also have Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation and they also started working in our local government units for long-term integration in different communities,” she added.

Hontiveros then proceeded to ask if there is already a “system in place” to monitor the welfare of SBSI members after the scheduled relocation and reintegration of dwellers in Sitio Kapihan.

This, after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources officially canceled the Protected Area Community Based Resource Management Agreement permit of SBSI.

Meanwhile, Marcos said the DSWD, with the help of Balderrama, would focus on providing psychosocial interventions.

“This only happens once and let’s admit [that] there might be other victims like them, too,” said Marcos.

Religious organization SBSI has 3,650 members, including 1,587 children.

Hontiveros initially raised the plight of SBSI members who were allegedly forced to engage in sexual acts and forced labor under the leadership of Senior Agila, whom members believe to be the next Jesus or the new messiah.