Hundreds of oil-spill claimants fall victim to promised aid from Marcos wealth
At least six hundred residents in Guimaras island are card-bearing members of a foundation subject of a government advisory for conducting unauthorized activities elsewhere in the country.
The latest modus operandi has now reached the island-province with promised loans cum dole-out of P100,000 to each oil-spill victim in exchange for foundation membership with corresponding application fee of only P200.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in a continuing advisory cautioned the public though against this foundation identified as the North East Luzon Foundation Inc., formerly known as the Cagayan Valley Farmers Association.
Albeit carrying SEC registration No. a199717282, North East, the SEC warned, is not authorized to grant loans.
"The public is therefore strongly advised to take necessary precaution before entering into loan transaction with the above said entity," the SEC advisory obtained by TNT went.
The number of the members in Guimaras now feared to be victims of this foundation is believed to have doubled and continues to grow with massive membership campaign underway in the five towns here.
In Buenavista alone, The News Today (TNT) got confirmation of the October "oathtaking" held in the town covered gym that saw the attendance of new recruits numbering to about 550 to 600 individuals.
With promised monthly financial assistance of at least P20,000 a month, no-interest loans and a service vehicle for the 'senior' and outstanding coordinators, North East Luzon Foundation Inc. has since generated an influx of willing members.
The Guimaras operation was made public following a Bombo Radyo report that disclosed of the growing number of applicants and the supposed forthcoming oil-spill assistance amounting to millions.
A glaring contrast to what Petron and the International Oil Spill Compensation Fund in a recent media conference announced. From their end, ready release of money claims for the oil-spill victims are underway however the amount was not even half of what the foundation promises to give.
A TNT source said tagalog-speaking recruiters began to make the rounds back in July still and came back with more promised aid when the oil-spill incident hit Guimaras. Locals recruited were encouraged and "authorized" to bring in more members with particular attention given to oil-spill hit barangays.
Earlier this month more frenzy was observed when word got out regarding the P100,000 help due to the oil-spill.
The locals were told that the P200 will ensure their inclusion to the list of recipients. And the money will come from the government sequestered wealth of former President Ferdinand Marcos.
It has to be done in 'hush-hush' too, the locals were told, with the release passed off as a sort of calamity loan but in "reality," an all-out dole-out.
A woman organizer in Barangay Getulio, Buenavista, Guimaras is said to be the most senior amongst the new recruits thus earning her the title "provincial coordinator." "Lesser" titles too for numerous barangay coordinators and municipal coordinators who all await of the foundation's promises.
Efforts were made by TNT to locate foundation officials for clarification however no contact persons nor numbers were located as of press time.