House leader urges accountability from Imee over 4Ps fund realignment
A HOUSE leader is demanding accountability from Senator Imee Marcos for her decision to realign a staggering P13 billion in funding from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the national budget to other government social amelioration programs.
House Assistant Majority Leader and AKO BICOL Rep. Raul Angelo “Jill” Bongalon emphasized the critical need to address the implications of diverting funds meant for the 4Ps program, which effectively deprives 4.3 million poor Filipinos of cash assistance.
“Wala ho tayong plano na tigilan itong sa 4Ps issue,” Bongalon said during Tuesday’s press conference at the House of Representatives.
Bongalon lamented that the latest budget deficit for the program now stands at approximately P9 billion as a result of the senator’s realignment in the 2023 budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
He underscored the significance of the diverted funds, stating that if the P13 billion had remained allocated to the 4Ps in the 2023 budget, it could have significantly addressed the existing deficit.
Senator Marcos earlier admitted to slashing P13 billion from the 4Ps budget in her capacity as head of the Senate finance sub-committee responsible for the DSWD’s budget.
The senator said she realigned the funds to swiftly implementable DSWD projects, including supplemental feeding, Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services or KALAHI-CIDSS, Quick Response Fund for disasters, and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation or AICS.
Bongalon expressed dismay at Senator Marcos’ justification for the realignment, emphasizing the negative impact it has had on the 4Ps program and the millions of impoverished Filipinos who rely on it for assistance.
He did not mince words in highlighting the potential alleged misuse of funds for purported political gain, suggesting that the senator’s actions may be influenced by her reelection campaign.
“But then again, ang pinaka punto ho natin dito kasi is that, it would be unfair and unreasonable na i-slash mo ang budget ng isang programa at ilalagay mo sa ibang programa,” Bongalon said.
He continued, “At ang masama pa ho dito e nagagamit nya po sa kanyang pag-ikot. Siguro bilang, dahil sa re-eleksyonista si Senadora Imee, so ‘yun po ang ginagamit nya.”
