Claim: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is accepting applications for its Food Stamp Program (FSP) through an online link, as reported by TV Patrol anchor Karen Davila.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: As of writing, the August 26 TikTok video bearing the claim has 22,600 views, 349 likes, 32 comments, and 225 shares. The video’s link was also posted on the Facebook group “4p’s Updates,” which has 462,500 followers.
At the beginning of the video, a clip from TV Patrol featuring Davila reporting on the social welfare department’s food stamp program is shown. In the video, the journalist says, “Aarangkada na ang full implementation ng food stamp program ng DSWD” (The full implementation of DSWD’s food stamp program will be underway).
The video’s narrator then outlines a step-by-step application process for the program, claiming it involves registering through an unverified link to receive a text message from the agency about the payout dates. The text displayed on the screen reads, “P3,000 monthly bawat pamilya” (P3,000 monthly per family) and “bawat pamilya mag register online” (each family must register online).
The facts: While the DSWD had fully implemented the FSP nationwide in July, the agency told Rappler in an email that it “does not provide important announcements to the public regarding its programs and services on any unofficial social media platform.”
The TikTok account posting the claim falsely presents itself as the official DSWD account, altering the department’s logo by adding a blue checkmark to create a false appearance of verification and legitimacy.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao had previously urged the public to verify their sources of information online and to engage only with the agency’s official government website and social media pages with legitimate verification check marks.
Spliced news clip: The news report of Davila, uploaded on May 30, 2024, on ABS-CBN News’ YouTube channel, was spliced and taken out of context in the misleading TikTok video.
In the original report, Davila explained the program’s implementation but did not mention any online application process, as the video claimed. The video also deliberately left out details about the program’s beneficiaries and its implementation start date last July, only retaining the mention of the P3,000 amount to be given.
The DSWD previously warned the public against misleading videos on social media using spliced audio clips from online news reports to make their content appear legitimate and deceive the public. The agency had also repeatedly cautioned against clicking on links from unofficial posts to avoid scams and protect sensitive information. (READ: Phishing 101: How to spot and avoid phishing)
About FSP: According to the DSWD, the FSP is a government initiative that aims to combat involuntary hunger by providing beneficiaries with monetary-based assistance and access to Electronic Benefit Transfer cards amounting to P3,000 in food credits for purchasing food from accredited retailers. FSP also includes capacity-building and training to enhance the employable skills of its beneficiaries. (FAST FACTS: Things to know about DSWD’s food stamp)
The program targets the bottom one million food-poor households, as defined by the Philippine Statistics Authority, through Listahanan 3, an information management system that tracks poor households to help determine eligibility for various social protection programs and services across the country.
DSWD Undersecretary for Innovations Eduardo M. Punay said the program will be rolled out across 10 regions and 21 provinces in the country with an initial target of 300,000 families.
Previous fact checks: Rappler had published fact checks on misleading DSWD programs using videos from news reports.
- FACT CHECK: ‘DSWD cash aid for students’ video uses spliced news clip
- FACT CHECK: Spliced news clip used in fake ‘DSWD cash aid’ video
For official updates, refer to DSWD’s official website, and its social media accounts on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube. – Larry Chavez/Rappler.com
Larry Chavez is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
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