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SoCot village dad suspended for refusal to give up 4Ps membership

By Roel Osano

July 6, 2022, 8:08 pm

<p>The San Vicente Barangay Hall in Banga, South Cotabato. <em>(Photo courtesy of San Vicente BLGU)</em></p>

The San Vicente Barangay Hall in Banga, South Cotabato. (Photo courtesy of San Vicente BLGU)

KORONADAL CITY – A barangay official in the South Cotabato town of Banga is facing a two-month suspension after refusing to surrender his membership in the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for indigents.

The quasi-judicial body of Banga's municipal council found San Vicente, Barangay Councilor Dexter Donasco guilty of Violation of Norms and Conduct of Public Officials and Employees under RA 6713, and for Overtly Committing Gross-Dishonesty provided in the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160).

The complaint stems from the resolution submitted by the Barangay Council of San Vicente.

The decision, signed by then outgoing Banga Mayor Albert Palencia on June 28, took effect on June 29.

Elpidio Patarata, San Vicente village chairperson, said Donasco became a member of 4Ps in 2009. He was first elected as a barangay councilor in 2012.

“The grievance committee of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) told Donasco to give up his membership in the 4Ps in 2014, but he refused. They returned again in 2020, still he refused,” Patarata said in an interview Wednesday.

Patarada said Donasco, who is now in his second term, did not give up his 4Ps membership because his children are still going to school.

He added that when they saw again the name of Donasco in the list of 4Ps beneficiaries, they immediately reported the matter and the village official was delisted by the DSWD-12.

Patarata noted that being a barangay councilor, Donasco is receiving a monthly honorarium of PHP11,000 which disqualifies him to be a beneficiary of the government’s anti-poverty program.

“Under the 4Ps guidelines, only government workers with a monthly honorarium of P5,000 and below are eligible for the program,” Patarata said.

He said the suspension of Donasco will also serve as a warning to other barangay officials who are taking advantage of the government’s program.

“4Ps should be maximized and must be given to those who are deserving, poor families,” Patarata said.

The village chief said he also filed an administrative case against Donasco before the Ombudsman. (PNA)

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