By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Saying that the unexpected budget cut of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will have adverse consequences for millions of poor Filipinos, 4PS party-list Rep. Jonathan Clement “JC” Abalos II on Friday (23 Feb 2024) called for an inquiry into the reported P13 billion fund that was realigned from the 4Ps by Sen. Imee Marcos to other programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) last year.
“Napakaraming 4Ps beneficiaries ang nagdurusa dahil sa budget slash na iyan…The budget slash is an important issue that should be resolved and investigated kasi kawawa ang ating poorest of the poor,” Abalos lamented.
The 4Ps lawmaker made the statement after Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon said that some P13 billion fund was realigned from the 4Ps by Sen. Imee Marcos to other programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) last year.
“With the budget cut made by the Senate, there was considerable delay in giving the cash grant to the beneficiaries. 2023 was a crucial year because if you look at the GAA, nagbayad din tayo sa utang natin sa mga 4Ps beneficiaries ng 2017 and 2018… We do not want the same mistake of having delays in cash grants,” Abalos noted.
He appealed to the Senate not to cut the DSWD budget again.
Sen. Marcos could not be reached for comment as of this posting.
(el Amigo/MNM)