Incoming DSWD chief opposes 4P institutionalization

Exposing their policy differences, incoming Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo on Thursday disagreed with the call of outgoing Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman for Congress to institutionalize the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Speaking to reporters, Taguiwalo said the government should instead devise ways on how to create long-term solutions such as revitalizing regional industries to generate more jobs.

"It is a pantawid program. Why would you institutionalize a stop-gap measure?" she said. "We should legislate long-term economic initiatives that will create more sustainable jobs and livelihood."

Incoming DSWD Sec.Taguiwalo opposes institutionalization of 4Ps, insists it's just a stop gap measure vs poverty. pic.twitter.com/aFfVfFNudA

— Virgil Lopez (@virgillopez) June 23, 2016

Reports quoting Soliman late last year said she wanted Congress to pass the bill in favor of institutionalizing the 4Ps or the conditional cash transfer program, which started in 2008, before President Benigno Aquino III steps down from power.

This never materialized, and Taguiwalo vowed to review the program, which gives poor families cash assistance provided their children remain in school, visit health centers, and attend family development lessons.

"We have to look at the impact on the beneficiaries as well as the community. I'm also aware of the fact that some beneficiaries are not really eligible but who are part of the program and there are those who are eligible who are not included in the program," she said.

"There are also questions about CCT being used for political campaign like the last time," Taguiwalo added.

A total of P62.7 billion was allocated by the government for the scheme, which is enough to cover 4.6 million households this year.

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte earlier expressed his intention to continue the cash doles for the country's poorest families.

Duterte said he will draw funds from taxes on alcohol and tobacco products and the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation to bankroll his expanded 4Ps program.  —KBK, GMA News