The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday issued a stern warning to all beneficiaries of its financial assistance programs: do not use government aid for gambling.
In a department-wide memorandum, Secretary Rex Gatchalian directed all program implementers to consistently remind recipients that the cash assistance is strictly meant for essential needs.
“These funds are for public purposes and cannot be used for any other purpose, especially in all forms and modes of gambling,” the memorandum stated.
Gatchalian also ordered tighter post-distribution monitoring and the activation of grievance mechanisms to catch and address reports of misuse. Beneficiaries found gambling with their aid risk removal from the program and disqualification from future assistance.
The directive reinforces the Marcos administration’s wider campaign against gambling and its destructive impact on Filipino households.
It also comes after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas directed e-wallet platforms to de-link from online gambling sites to curb financial risks among users.
The DSWD reminded all beneficiaries to use government aid responsibly, stressing that it is given to alleviate poverty and uplift the welfare of Filipino families.