DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin T. Tulfo defended the officials and staff of Field Office (FO) 4-A against allegations of incompetence by a local official over the distribution of aid to his municipality during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm 'Paeng'.

Tulfo said based on the department's 'fair and unbiased investigation', Barry Chua, regional director of Field Office 4-A, and Mylah Gatchalian, assistant regional director for operations, were following regulations when they implemented the provision of distributing assistance.