By Jose Cielito Reganit
MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) called out social media vlogger Frankie Bugarin, popularly known online as “Daddy Frankie,” over false and misleading claims on the recent pullout and transfer of clients from an unregistered shelter facility in Pangasinan province.
In a news release Thursday, the DSWD, through its Standards Bureau (SB), clarified that Bugarin has been conducting unauthorized public solicitation and operating a residential care facility catering to individuals with mental health conditions and the elderly without the required registration, license to operate accreditation, and public solicitation permit from the department.
Bugarin, together with seven other vloggers, has been involved in “rescue” activities for children with special needs, the elderly, and individuals with mental health conditions without the proper authority and safeguards required under existing laws and regulations.
The DSWD-SB operation conducted on Friday, which involved the transfer of three clients, was carried out in coordination with the DSWD 1 (Ilocos Norte), as well as the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices (MSWDOs) of Malasiqui, Pangasinan and Paniqui, Tarlac.
The rescued clients were safely transferred to an accredited DSWD Center in the Ilocos Region for temporary shelter and care while completing their admission requirements to another DSWD facility better suited to their needs.
DSWD spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, said the department was constrained to take action after Bugarin failed to comply with the requirements needed to secure a Certificate of Registration and License to Operate (CRLTO).
“Hindi po biglaan ang naging aksyon ng DSWD. Noong March 10 pa lang ay nagbigay na po tayo ng paunang notice sa vlogger, na sinundan po ng technical assistance at suspension order noong March 25 upang mabigyan sila ng pagkakataon na sumunod sa mga itinakdang pamantayan po natin patungkol sa mga unregistered care facilities (The DSWD’s action was not sudden. The vlogger was given an initial notice on March 10, which was followed by a technical assistance and suspension order on March 25 to give them an opportunity to comply with the standards set for unregistered care facilities),” Dumlao said.
She added that action planning was also conducted on April 6 that led to an agreement, which includes pulling out the remaining clients inside their facility; stopping the acceptance of new clients while their license is being processed; and avoiding the posting of videos containing the faces, names, or the pathetic conditions of the clients.
She also called out the unauthorized recording and posting of videos during the rescue and transfer operations.
“Nakakalungkot po na habang isinasagawa natin ang maayos at maingat na paglipat sa mga kliyente, may mga unauthorized audio at video recordings na ginawa at kalaunan ay ipinost sa social media na may kasamang maling pagpapalabas ng sitwasyon. Hindi po tama na ginagamit ang sensitibong video recordings na naglalaman ng mga kliyente at kanilang pamilya para sa content na maaaring magdulot ng maling impresyon sa publiko (It is disheartening that while conducting the orderly and careful transfer of the clients, unauthorized audio and video recordings were made and subsequently posted on social media accompanied by a wrong depiction of the situation. It is wrong to use sensitive video recordings of clients and their families just for content, which may give a wrong impression to the public),” Dumlao said.
“Ang mas mahalaga po sana ay ang kapakanan at privacy ng mga vulnerable clients, hindi po ang paggawa ng mga videos na tila nagpapakita na may masamang intensyon ang DSWD gayong malinaw po na ang layunin natin ay tiyakin ang kanilang kaligtasan at tamang pag-aalaga (The welfare and privacy of the clients are more important than creating videos that seem to show that the DSWD has bad intentions, when it is clear that our aim is to ensure the safety and proper care of the clients).”
She noted that operating an unlicensed shelter poses serious risks to vulnerable individuals, especially children, the elderly, and individuals with mental health conditions.
“Hindi po sapat ang mabuting intensyon lang pagdating po sa pag-aalaga ng mga vulnerable individuals. Kailangan matiyak po natin na ligtas ang mga pasilidad, maayos ang serbisyo, may trained personnel, at sumusunod sa minimum standards ng gobyerno. Ito po ang dahilan kung bakit may proseso ng registration, licensing, accreditation, at issuance of solicitation permit ang DSWD (Good intentions are not enough when it comes to taking care of vulnerable individuals. We must ensure that the facilities are safe, the services are good, there are trained personnel and in compliance with the minimum standards set by government. This is the reason why DSWD has a process for registration, licensing, accreditation, and issuance of solicitation permit),” she said.
“Higit sa lahat bilang pangangalaga sa karapatang pantao, ang pagkuha ng video at pagpapalabas nang kalunos-lunos na kalagayan nito nang walang pahintulot at pag gamit para maka-panghikayat ng sponsor o makapangalap ng donasyon ay mahigpit na ipinagbabawal, bilang ito ay isang pagsasamantala sa kalagayan ng isang nangangailangang indibidwal (In the protection of human rights, it is strictly prohibited to take and show videos of the pathetic situation of vulnerable individuals without permission, as well as to use these to encourage sponsors or solicit donations, because this is exploiting the condition of an individual in need).”
Dumlao also clarified that the department never prevented private individuals or groups from helping vulnerable sectors, but stressed that such efforts must comply with existing laws and standards to ensure proper protection and accountability.
Under existing regulations, facilities providing residential care and social welfare services are required to secure a Certificate of Registration and License to Operate (CRLTO) and a Certificate of Accreditation with the DSWD, to ensure the quality delivery of programs and services through compliance with set standards on staffing, case management, facility safety, documentation, and program implementation.
Dumlao assured the public that the DSWD remains ready to assist individuals and families in crisis situations through its various programs and services, including the Pag-abot Program for families and individuals in street situations. (PNA)
