Proposed CCT budget for 2015 hits P78 B

MANILA, Philippines – The Aquino administration’s proposed budget for its flagship program for the poor known as the conditional cash transfer (CCT) has almost quadrupled in the last four years, from P29.2 billion in 2011 to P78 billion next year.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. attributed the P15.4-billion increase from this year’s P62.6 billion CCT budget to the increase in coverage of its recipients.

“This is due to an increase in the coverage, from 4.3 million to five million households as per National Household Targeting System,” Coloma said on Sunday over state-run radio dzRB.

Aquino’s 2011 national budget for CCT was P29.2 billion, which increased by P10.2 billion in 2012 (P39.4 billion), upped by nearly P5 billion more (P44.3-billion) in 2013 and by P18.3 billion this year – reaching P62.6 billion.

Next year’s CCT budget will be P15.4 billion more – or P78 billion.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad last Friday presented the 2015 budget before his fellow Cabinet members. On the same day, Aquino announced he rejected Abad’s resignation over the issue on Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

The proposed national budget for 2015 will be P2.6 trillion. It will be submitted to Congress a day after Aquino delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address on July 28.

Among the key highlights in the budget is the increase in the allocation for the National Health Insurance Program – from P35.3 billion to P37.2 billion – which coverage also increased from 14.7 million to 15.4 million beneficiaries.

There is also an increase in the provision of basic educational facilities (classrooms, water and sanitation) from P44.6 billion to P52.7 billion.

The budget for the Department of Public Works and Highways programs was also hiked from P130.4 billion to P186.6 billion.

Palace justifies hike in CCT budget

In November last year, Coloma said the allocation for the CCT and 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program) increased every year.

“The government’s concern is reflected in the amounts that are being spent in order to address poverty reduction. We have a saying in management: Where you put your money, that is what your strategy is,” he said.

The latest augmentation in the budget for the Department of Social Welfare and Development, according to Coloma, was “based on the recommendation of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.”

Budget records showed that when Aquino took over in 2010, the government sought and obtained Congress’ approval for the CCT budget – P29.2 billion in 2011, P39.4 billion in 2012 and P44.3 billion in 2013. –Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star)