House to insert special provisions on cash transfer implementation

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives will insert special provisions in the P1.64-trillion national budget to oversee the implementation of the Aquino administration’s controversial P21-billion conditional cash transfer (CCT) program next year, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said yesterday.

The special provisions appeared to be a compromise by the House leadership on concerns by lawmakers from both the administration and the opposition on how the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) would implement such a huge program and the insistence of Malacañang to leave the funding intact.

“We’re just putting a special provision and I think that can be done. One, (the creation of) an oversight (panel) from the House or Congress, if the Senate would do so; and second, a limitation on how they can spend the (unspent) money. They can only spend in related activities,” Belmonte told reporters.

A five-man committee, led by Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, approved the proposed budget early this month.

Over 100 lawmakers signed a resolution calling for the formation of an oversight committee to monitor the spending of the huge allocation for the DSWD that, many believe, does not have the capacity to disburse the amount.

Abaya said the creation of the oversight committee and the specific earmarking of unused CCT funds is meant to allay fears of misuse and wastage of the allocation.

Lawmakers felt the CCT allocation was made at the expense of several agencies and institutions like the National Food Authority and state colleges and universities.

One of the flagship programs of the Aquino administration, the CCT will cover 2.3 million poor families that will be given a maximum of P1,400 subsidy every month for 10 months provided that their children continue attending classes and that mothers undergo regular check-ups in government health centers.

Belmonte said if the DSWD could not disburse the entire amount as scheduled next year, the House would realign unused amounts for health and education projects supportive of the CCT, like building classrooms or promoting maternal and child health programs.

“The savings can only be used for supportive activities like schools and health, in other words you cannot get any money and spend or use it for any other purpose except for health and schools,” he said.

Belmonte said checks on whether the DSWD was disbursing the CCT allocation on schedule could start in the first three or four months of next year.

He expressed confidence the administration would be able to implement the CCT program despite criticisms on the DSWD’s “absorptive capacity” or ability to disburse the amount in one year.

Opposition lawmakers, led by House minority leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, have criticized the huge budget.

“The administration is very confident that it can wisely spend the P21 billion. They have the capability now, unlike in the past when they were starting from scratch. Now they have computerized list of things in place. In case they were not able to spend it, the savings cannot just be used anywhere,” Belmonte said.

“I suggest the oversight committee look at the whole program not just the money,” he said. -Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star)