DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 18, 2013) – An umbrella group of progressive organizations has thrown its support to a former social worker who accused government officials of corruption and other anomalies in connection to the distribution of humanitarian aid to typhoon victims.
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Southern Mindanao said it is supporting June Obenza, who recently filed charges against officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development at the Ombudsman.
It also called on the public to support Obenza. “June Obenza’s statements have unearthed worms that have long been eating this social welfare agency, a major source of corruption money for many past administrations, including the current policy regime of President Benigno Aquino,” Bayan said in a statement, adding there should be a thorough investigation into the accusations.
Obenza accused some officials working with the DSWD project called Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Service (KALAHI-CIDSS) of faking documents, among other allegations.
KALAHI-CIDSS is a community-driven development project implemented by the DSWD. Under the project, communities and local governments are trained to choose, design and implement sub-projects that address their most pressing need.
“The whole DSWD agency as well as KALAHI-CIDSS, must be penalized while the relief funds in its hands must be transferred to independent and credible church or non-government organizations so as not prevent any more acts of corruption,” Bayan said.
There was no immediate statement from the DSWD about the allegations. (Mindanao Examiner)
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