Zamboanga City has launched a one-stop-shop for burial assistance to indigent families, aiming to prevent scammers from exploiting the government aid program and expedite the release of funds to qualified applicants. Mayor Khymer Olaso placed the facility at the old office of the Business Permits and Licensing Division on the ground floor of City Hall.
How the one-stop-shop works
The center is staffed by personnel from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), City Treasurer's Office (CTO), and City Accountant's Office (CAO), who work together to process and release assistance. The burial aid amounts to P12,000 per qualified beneficiary.
Celso Lobregat, chief of staff and secretary to the mayor, said on Wednesday, June 24, that authorities uncovered a scheme where scammers processed fake documents to claim burial aid at the expense of indigent bereaved families. Lobregat noted that most victims are Muslims, whose deceased family members must be buried immediately according to Islamic tradition.
Payment structure and scam details
Lobregat explained that the P12,000 burial assistance is given in full for Muslim deceased individuals. For Christians, P8,000 goes directly to the funeral parlor to cover part of the expenses, while the remaining P4,000 is given to the bereaved family. Investigators found that scammers pocketed P10,000 in some cases, leaving only P2,000 for the families.
Legal actions and challenges
Socorro Rojas, CSWDO chief, said on Wednesday, June 24, that 11 cases have been filed against scammers, but all were dismissed due to lack of prima facie evidence. Mayor Olaso stated on the same day that the burial aid program had become a business opportunity for unscrupulous individuals, prompting the adoption of the one-stop-shop system.
Faster aid release
Olaso emphasized the importance of providing immediate and compassionate assistance to families experiencing loss, ensuring they can access government support with less difficulty during a challenging time. Rojas said that previously, burial assistance took one to two months to be released due to a lengthy process requiring visits to multiple offices in separate locations. "This is why the one-stop-shop was established with personnel from CSWDO, CTO and CAO in one place to hasten the release of the burial aid," Rojas said in a press conference.
