An old text claiming that all Filipinos can get P5,000 to P8,000 assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is false. The government has no such program.
It was first posted last year but the message reappeared this May, instructing residents of every barangay to call the Department of Local Interior and Government’s (DILG) “numbers” if they have not received the aid from the DSWD.
The erroneous text garnered more traction in July as Filipinos faced the impact of Typhoon Carina. Since then, netizens have been reposting the fake text and sharing it even in private . messaging platforms.
On Aug. 13, the DILG’s official Facebook page released an advisory disowning the circulating posts and clarifying that they have no such program.
DSWD’s official Facebook page also debunked the posts on July 31 saying the information is false and they do not have such an activity.
A portion of fake text posted on Facebook (FB) read:
“NEW UPDATE. BASAHIN HANGGANG SA BABA. ITO PO AY IMPORTANTE PARA SATIN. Sa mga residente po ng bawat barangay kapag kayo po ay hindi na bigyan ng 5k to 8k ay itawag nyo po agad sa “DILG” (READ UNTIL THE END. THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR US. For residents in every barangay, if you were not given 5k to 8k please call DILG right away).
● 09274226300,
● 09150054533,
● 09167721668,
● HOTLINE # 925-0343.
ITO PO AY IMPORTANTE (THIS IS IMPORTANT): To all parents mag ask Kayo sa mga Barangay ninyo (ask your Barangay) regarding this matter may form need to fill up.”
The assistance will supposedly be provided for two months to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant and lactating moms, solo parents and indigent families, among others.
The DILG and the DSWD also debunked the post when it first circulated in October 2023.
The first phone number (09274226300) and the telephone number (925-0343) listed were used by the DILG, while there are no signs of the two others being affiliated with the agencies.
The DSWD has the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program which provides medical assistance, education, food, or financial assistance, among others, to indigent, vulnerable or marginalized persons.
VERA Files has been debunking numerous false posts about assistance supposedly from government agencies and officials. (Read FB page spreads BOGUS post about P10k ayuda from Marcos)
