MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is looking into complaints that some local officials are taking a share of the agency's financial help for "individuals in crisis situations."

According to the most recent DSWD report, a supposed coordinator working for a local official allegedly deducted P9,300 from the P10,000 assistance given to three beneficiaries of the DSWD's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program in Cagayan de Oro City.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said that the agency, through its Northern Mindanao Field Office, will coordinate with the complainants and support them in filing the necessary case against the alleged offender.

"Just like what we have done in the aid deduction incident in Davao, we will do the same in this isolated case in Northern Mindanao," Dumlao said.

DSWD Secretary Rexlon "Rex" Gatchalian said that anyone involved in aid deductions would face the most severe penalties.