DAVAO CITY, Philippines–Beware!
No group or person is authorized by the Office of the President to collect fees, in exchange of cash or livelihood project, this was the clarification of Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. Saturday, June 10, 2017.
Evasco issued the statement after series of inquiries and reports reached his office that groups are collecting fees from their recruits and promised cash assistance for livelihood projects from the Office of the President.
Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. said “no one is allowed to collect any amount from anyone.”
The group reportedly recruit members as beneficiaries for the livelihood assistance ranging from Php50,000 to Php100,000.
While some groups are reportedly soliciting amount from businessmen and supporters to fund various government campaign programs.
“We don’t know about it, government programs and projects are clearly identified by the agencies concerned,” he stressed.
Evasco emphasized, “Basta! Balikon naku, wala dyuy instruction ani si presidente sa bisan unsang grupo nga nag advocate ug federalism nga mangayo ug kuarta, in exchange for the issuance of ID (identification card), in exchange for livelihood programs, wala!)
Translation: (I repeat! there is no instruction from the president, never! to any group advocating federalism to collect money in exchange for ID’s; in exchange for livelihood programs, Never!)
Evasco was reacting to reports that many groups using “federal” “Pagbabago”, “Federally” and many other names are collecting money ranging from P150 to P200 as membership fee or payment for identification cards.
Two weeks ago, a group of residents from Digos, Davao del Sur reported to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) about the collection as they failed to get the promised P50,000 livelihood from the Office of the President.
The group said they were asked to pay membership fee amounting to P250 and pay for the identification cards.
The organizers presented documents to their recruits telling them that the projects have been received and approved.
The complainants said organizers told them that the department of agriculture, office of Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Office of Senator Manny Paquiao and Secretary Evasco are evaluating their documents for the release of funds.
But, when the group went to the agriculture regional office, they were informed that the signature of the official was forged and the documents they were carrying could not be found in their files.
Evasco told Newsline.ph “IF there are groups in your areas collecting money about this, you better report it to the police and have them arrested, that is swindling.”
Last week, Secretary Datu Hj. Abul Khayr Alonto, chairperson of Mindanao Development Authority in a warning stated ” This is to inform everyone that the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) or its Chairman, Secretary Datu Hj. Abul Khayr Alonto has NOT authorized or endorsed the issuance of Identification Cards (IDs) that require payment or charges in order to obtain assistance and support from the Philippine Government for families and individuals affected by the recent attacks in Marawi City. Let it be known that the distribution of these cards and the collection of fees are not sanctioned by MinDA and its Chairman and are prohibited under the Philippine Laws. Anyone caught distributing or selling these so-called ID cards will be apprehended by the authorities.”
Reports have it, some enterprising group of individuals are duping people from all over the country and recruit them to be members of the group telling among others they have access to the government projects and livelihood assistance in form of cash will be given to them.
However, Evasco emphasized “the government’s support to the people are coursed through the government agencies and it comes in terms of projects or equipment but not cash. “-Editha Z. Caduaya/Newsline.ph
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