CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Northern Mindanao (DSWD-10) warned the public Monday against "text scams" that target victims into believing they can get educational cash assistance.
In a radio interview, DSWD-10 information officer Roshiel Galia said those who registered online and were qualified for the assistance were informed through text message a day before the scheduled payout in the satellite offices of the agency.
"We intentionally do that (texting the confirmation a day before the payout date) because we have received several reports of text messages circulating that were not official," she said.
Galia said the agency has a safety mechanism to be able to trace the text messages in question.
During the second payout on Aug. 27, she said hundreds of prospective beneficiaries who were not registered still went to the regional and satellite offices in hopes of being accommodated.
Galia said the agency has earlier laid out the process of registration, which can be done online or through offline methods with the help of desk assistants.
"Unfortunately there were still who believed the 'fake news' proliferating in social media about the distribution; that is why we distributed brochures, so they will be guided," she said.
On Aug. 27, DSWD-10 released PHP9.4 million to 2,902 beneficiaries in the regional and satellite offices in Northern Mindanao. (PNA)
