By Omar Fernando

DAVAO CITY—Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rexlon Gatchalian’s claim that all referrals from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) are accommodated has been branded “inaccurate and misleading.”

This, according to Director for Operations Norman Baloro, on Tuesday, exposing a critical gap in the narrative.

“While such statements may paint a picture of seamless coordination between our two offices, the reality on the ground tells a different story,” Baloro said.

He added that in several instances, the DSWD declined OVP referrals.

Boloro cited the request for assistance referred to by OVP for an identified group of individuals whose livelihoods were affected by the African Swine Flu virus.

“The request was denied because the DSWD claimed that they cannot do ‘mass payout,’ and yet they are able to do it in other areas, together with other politicians,” he said.

He also cited instances from various OVP Satellite Offices where referred clients were left attended to by the DSWD's regional offices.

“Isa lamang dito ay mayroong 7,056 pending applications para sa Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) at 2,597 pending applications para sa Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) ang nai-refer ng OVP Panay and Negros Islands Satellite Office sa DSWD Field Office-VI na hanggang ngayonay wala pa ring naiaabot na assistance,” Baloro said.

The OVP also prepared the list of identified beneficiaries in Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor Satellite Offices but received no assistance from the DSWD.

“There is no clear explanation provided by the DSWD to the OVP-referred clients from the Satellite Offices for the delay or inaction on the requests. To dismiss these unserved clients is to ignore the real challenges many Filipinos face in accessing social services,” Baloro said.

He also appealed to the DSWD to take immediate action on the OVP referrals to address the gaps and fulfill the government’s obligation to provide aid to every Filipino.