SAN PEDRO, Laguna — January 29, 2026 — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has suspended the operations of an unlicensed shelter run by vlogger Benjie Perillo, popularly known as BenchTV, after a surprise inspection revealed multiple violations in Barangay Landayan, San Pedro, Laguna.

The inspection was carried out by the DSWD Standards Bureau in coordination with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) of San Pedro and DSWD Field Office 4A–CALABARZON. Barangay officials and local law enforcement accompanied the team to ensure transparency during the operation.

Authorities discovered 12 individuals inside the facility, including two minors. Six of them, among them the minors, were immediately transferred to DSWD custody for proper care and intervention. Medical teams from the City Health Office conducted vital signs assessments, while licensed social workers performed profiling and case management to ensure that beneficiaries received appropriate support.

The remaining individuals were formally referred to social workers to guarantee continuity of services. DSWD officials stressed that the welfare of minors and vulnerable persons must always be safeguarded under Philippine law, and that operating without a Certificate of Registration and License to Operate (CRLTO) is a clear violation of government standards.

BenchTV was provided with technical assistance by the DSWD regarding the process and requirements for securing a CRLTO. Officials emphasized that while private individuals and organizations may wish to extend help to those in need, shelters must comply with government regulations to ensure safety, accountability, and proper delivery of social services.

The shutdown highlights the government’s ongoing effort to regulate care facilities and protect vulnerable sectors from potential risks posed by unlicensed operations. The DSWD reiterated its commitment to strengthening oversight and ensuring that all shelters adhere to national standards for social welfare services.

Good Intentions Are Not a License

Helping the vulnerable begins with compassion, but it must end with protection. Shutting down an unlicensed shelter is not an attack on charity. It is a reminder that care involves standards, safeguards, and accountability, especially when minors are involved. Heart alone cannot guarantee safety, proper supervision, or ethical treatment.

Some see the closure as stopping help where it was urgently needed. Others see it as the state doing what it must when rules meant to prevent harm are ignored. Licenses exist because good intentions do not stop abuse, neglect, or mistakes.

Compassion without structure can still endanger lives. When caring for society’s most vulnerable, should goodwill ever be allowed to outrun responsibility and oversight?

Image from DSWD Facebook