Villar to DSWD & NEDA: Identify All Beneficiaries of Government Cash Aid

Senator Cynthia Villar has urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to clearly identify all the beneficiaries of the government’s cash aid program. 

She said confusion in the classification of income classes caused the discrepancy in the figures presented to the senators during the session of the Senate’s Committee of the Whole last May 19.

“Even if I have issued an apology about my remarks, I am still waiting for an explanation from the DSWD and NEDA about my inquiry to them to clearly identify the recipients or beneficiaries of the government’s cash aid. I found some inconsistencies and discrepancies in the figures they presented,” said Villar.

The senator earlier asked DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista to explain how the department came up with the 18 million beneficiaries it identified in its report, which supposedly represented 82 percent of the population. 

Villar asked the DSWD and NEDA to explain in writing how beneficiaries are determined. She also wanted to clarify also if those earning above P19,000 a month were included among the beneficiaries. 

“They have to disclose who the beneficiaries are. I have no problem if they included the middle income earners as long as they are qualified. The intended beneficiaries should be the ones to receive the cash aid and figures should add up,” said Villar.

Villar highlighted that the only basis for cash assistance is the list of people under the 4Ps or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the government. Around 4.5 million families are in the said list. 

Secretary Bautista admitted his department allowed local government units (LGUs) to identify the other beneficiaries. 

“There are so many people who have been complaining that they did not receive any cash aid. How did the local government and barangay officials identify the beneficiaries not determined by the DSWD? We want that disclosed so people will understand if they are among the intended beneficiaries or not,” the senator said.

Villar said senators have oversight functions and need to monitor disbursement of government funds. Regular briefings and meetings with the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) are part of this function. “There is the so-called check and balance between the executive and the legislative branches of the government. I would be remiss in my mandate as a senator if I will not inquire about or question some government actions or policies,” Villar cited. 

She further noted that government resources are not infinite and will run out sooner or later. “The end of the pandemic is not yet in sight. Thus, the long-term sustainability of funds is important.”