Manila, Jan. 15 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is strongly warning the public against suspicious individuals or groups offering cash assistance through private messages while claiming to have a supposed "backer" inside the DSWD.

In a statement on Thursday, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao clarified that DSWD programs and services are never processed through private social media accounts, personal messages, or unauthorized intermediaries, and also does not operate under any "backer system."

She said all forms of assistance provided by the department follow established procedures to ensure fairness and transparency.

"Hindi po pinahihintulutan ng DSWD ang anumang paggamit ng backer o personal connection sa loob...