THE regional Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) cleared Dumanjug Vice Mayor Rainero Asentista of charges that he forced beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to buy rice from a store he owned.
Similar complaints were received by the DSWD office from Sta. Fe town, Bantayan Island, and Naga City.
Proceso Bomediano, acting chief of the DSWD’s Regional Grievance Office, said they didn’t see any irregularities in the rice aid distribution in Dumanjug town last March 13.
The Pantawid beneficiaries across the country receive a monthly P600 rice subsidy from the national government.
A beneficiary who requested anonymity claimed they were forced to buy rice from the wife of Vice Mayor Asentista who owned RV store at the public market. The vice mayor denied the allegation.
Bomediano said other Pantawid beneficiaries in Dumanjug town bought rice from other retailers.
He said the rice supply was under consignment through the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA).
Bomediano said Regional DSWD Director Evelyn Macapobre made it clear that the beneficiaries should be allowed to buy rice from any retailer.