ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the DSWD has been receiving complains of what they feel could be a scam, and those who are already victims of this modus have approached Project Development Officers (PDOs) of the program demanding to be paid the promised Php 15,000.00 Livelihood Assistance Grant.

Reports of alleged groups and individuals claiming to work with SLP and asking people to pay a processing fee assuring them that they will receive LAG. The amount asked ranges between Php 10.00 to Php 350.00 with reasons ranging from photocopying fee, processing fee, computer fee, or assurance fee. These groups carry with them a copy of the The target of these scammers are areas with little to no knowledge of the program, including some barangays in Zamboanga City such as Rio Hondo, Ayala, Recodo, Balunoh, Sinunuc, Upper Calarian, Mampang, San Roque, Sta. Barbara, Campo Islam, Sta. Catalina, Kasanyangan, Talon-Talon, Tugbungan, and Zambowood.

A meeting was conducted with the head of the alleged group wherein a list containing 1,123 individuals from the above-mentioned barangays are seeking to be given LAG last July 19, 2021. Names on the said list along with their local leaders have been given orientation on the program, the stages, its modalities, the tracks available for the, and requirements for accreditation by July 21, 2021. Currently, the names are undergoing name-matching against the Listahanan Database for eligibility to be part of the program.

SLP warns against the conduct of collecting fees from the public. While the action of referring individuals to the program is encouraged, promising them the assurance of payment should be discontinued. Public are advised to ask for identification from groups and individuals offering them financial assistance and to report to the field office on any suspicious activities.