DSWD defends P5-B aid program amid criticisms
04/28/2008 | 09:21 AMMANILA, Philippines – Unfazed by criticisms from the Catholic Church, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday said it will maintain its P5-billion aid program for poor families and will push for its extension for another five years.
In an interview on dzBB radio, DSWD Sec. Esperanza Cabral also invited critics from the Church to take a closer look at the mechanics of the government’s “Ahon” program before making further criticisms.
“Walang saysay kung isang taon lang ang pondong makukuha natin. At least five years dapat tumakbo ang programang ito. Si Pangulong (Gloria Macapagal) Arroyo, sinabi niyang habang nasa pagkapangulo siya ay popondohan niya ito (The program would be useless if it will be implemented for only one year. The program needs to be sustained at least five years. President Arroyo already pledged to fund this program so long as she is in office),” Cabral said.
“Kailangan maipakita sa susunod na pangulo mahusay ang programa (Now our job is to convince her successor that the program is sound),” she added.
Pascual claimed the program is anti-poor because it gives aid to families without them having to work for it. Pascual suggested a food- or aid-for-work program to replace the P5-billion aid initiative.
Presidential Management Staff (PMS) head Cerge Remonde said they will consider the suggestion.
In the interview, Cabral said Caritas Manila executive director Fr. Anton Pascual should meet with the DSWD and be educated on the mechanics of the program.
“Iniimbitahan naming pag-aralan muna niya yan bago siya magkumento. Very successful yan sa South American and Latin American countries, mas cost-effective yan sa food transfer (We will invite Fr. Pascual to study the program before he comments further. The program has been successful in South and Latin American countries. It is more cost-effective than food transfer),” Cabral said.
Cabral also said the DSWD already started distributing the aid even before the rice crisis started. She said the distribution covered Agusan and Misamis provinces and Caloocan and Pasay Cities in Metro Manila, among other areas.
Cabral also said the DSWD is now conducting a survey to identify the beneficiaries of the aid program, especially those in the country’s 20 poorest provinces.
“Hopefully by beginning of the school year, set na ang programa (Hopefully by the time the school year starts, the program is already in place),” she said.
On the other hand, Cabral admitted the budget is not programmed in the P1.227-trillion budget for 2008, saying only P280 million was allotted for it. She said President Arroyo sourced the other funds from government “savings.” – GMANews.TV
What? Bakit pera ang ibibigay niyo sa kanila? At mas maliit kumpara sa Kailangan nila…Lolz!
Di ba dapat tulungan ng Gobyerno ang mga mahihirap na makahanap ng Maayos na trabaho?
Wala rin yan,Pag naubos ang Pondo,Maglalaho yang tulong niyo….
Filed under: News and Politics
Giving money is a good quick fix but it has more harm in the long run. Giving out lot of taxpayer’s money not only jeopardize the national coffers but also give wrong message to the people. The more the people would become dependent to the government. I can’t imagine the time when people will also line up to get a pinch of salt from the government. The government must also think of long term solutions not just on quick fixes.