2 senators call for review of cash transfer program

MANILA, Philippines – Two lawmakers are calling for a review of the implementation of the government’s multi-billion Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program.

Senators Francis Escudero and Gregorio Honasan yesterday said a review of the CCT program is needed following reports that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is asking for additional funds amounting to about P1.4 billion.

They said Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman should report to the Senate how the P21.9 billion was used to enable lawmakers to determine and assess the impact of the CCT program.

Escudero noted the need to provide the Senate a feedback on the CCT program as agreed upon during budget deliberations last year.

It was part of the consensus after some lawmakers, including Senators Edgardo Angara and Ferdinand Marcos Jr., expressed concern over the administration’s move to expand the CCT program to over two million beneficiaries.

The DSWD had sought a 123 percent increase of its budget for 2011 from the previous year.

The senators said the fund could be prone to abuse and misuse in the absence of any check and balance mechanism.

“That was their commitment during the budget deliberations. Actually, they committed to furnish us with a copy of the list of recipients during plenary debates on the budget. They’ve not complied up to now,” said Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights.

Escudero also called on the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a special audit of the CCT funds and have it ready during deliberations for the 2012 budget.

“They should therefore submit not only an update but the list of recipients which they claimed to have but which I seriously doubt. Absent such, I urge COA to do a special audit of the CCT program of the DSWD so that we will have needed info in time for the next budget deliberations for the 2012 budget,” he said.

Honasan also echoed a similar concern after receiving reports that some recipients have opted not to work since they are merely waiting for the dole-outs.

“I have received a report that some recipients are not working for 10 to 15 days because they are expecting some money. That’s the results of dole-outs. This should be reviewed, really,” Honasan said.

The senators reiterated their call after Soliman sought an increase of the CCT budget.

Soliman has reportedly told the House committee on appropriations that P23.3 billion is needed for the program’s 2.3 million beneficiary households.

Soliman’s request is P1.4 billion higher than the amount approved under the General Appropriations Act of 2011. –Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)