CIDG, Nocppo receive 18 SAP-related complaints

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A total of 18 complaints regarding alleged irregularities in the distribution of the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP) were reported to various law enforcement units and police offices here.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Management Group (CIDG)-Bacolod received 14 complaints while four others were reported to Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo).

According to Chief Master Sergeant Ramiro Gocotano, CIDG-Bacolod head, the complaints came from Barangays 1, Bata, Felisa, Granada, Mansilingan, and Handumanan.

The CIDG is the leading agency tasked by the national government to investigate anomalies on SAP distribution.

Gocotano said that they will file charges for violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices and Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act against these barangay officials and social workers within this week.

He noted that the SAP allowances should be given to qualified beneficiaries identified as poorest of the poor who were affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, public information officer of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said that they have also received 20 SAP-related complaints here, but they will coordinate with the CIDG first to avoid overlapping.

“We will just stick to the records of the CIDG because they are the lead unit assigned to handle these complaints. We will just coordinate and assist them in case they will need more validation,” Pico said.

The four complaints in the province came from the cities of Bago, Talisay, and the town of Cauayan.

The complaints were already forwarded to the respective police stations for validation and for the legal procedures.