Former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is seeking at least a review of the executive department’s various social service programs, to make sure they are investments and not mere doleouts.
Lacson said the agencies tasked with implementing such programs should have at least a reliable database of recipients as well as clear goals that will improve the lives of Filipinos.
Related: ‘Review’ ng Social Service Programs, Tulak ni Ping Lacson
In a radio interview, he also cited persistent information that the aid from such programs do not reach their recipients.
“At the very least, i-review. Kung may matuwid naman at may malinaw na database na pinagbabasehan, okay lang yan. At saka anong direction at maging resulta nito? Kung wala tayong hinaharap na resulta at ang ano lang nito makapagbigay, huwag naman. Kasi ang tatamaan talaga diyan ang ating pangkalahatan na ekonomiya (At the very least, we must review these programs. If they have reliable databases and clear goals, that’s okay. And what direction will these programs have? They should not be for mere doleouts, because this will hurt our economy),” he said in an interview on dwAR radio.
He said agencies including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Health must have such databases to make sure the help goes to those who need it.
Lacson noted persistent reports that the funds from such programs do not reach their intended beneficiaries, or that those who benefit are close to local political leaders.
“Tapos may mga report pa na may corruption na involved doon kung saan di talaga natatanggap ang halaga na pinirmahan ng mga beneficiaries. Yan ang masama sa lahat (There are reports of corruption involved in such programs where the beneficiaries do not get the full amount they are supposed to receive),” he added.
Aside from this, Lacson said the programs must have clear goals for the beneficiaries – like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), which seeks to let children from poor families graduate so they can become productive taxpayers while helping improve their families’ lot.
“Pero kung mapunta ito sa walang balik, yan ang nakakapaghinayang. Kung ang social services ay makakapag-angat sa kabuhayan ng tinutulungan dahil nakakapagnegosyo sila at ang balik naman noon sa gobyerno in terms of revenues sa taxes at lahat, pero mukhang hindi ganoon kasi wala talagang maayos na pagpaplano (If the programs are mere doleouts, that is sad. Social service programs must improve the lives of Filipinos so they can give back in terms of revenues and taxes. But it seems many such programs cannot because they are not well-planned),” he said.
Lacson is running for senator as an independent candidate, with his credo “Ang tama ay ipaglaban, ang mali ay labanan (What is right must be kept right, what is wrong must be set right).”
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‘Review’ ng Social Service Programs, Tulak ni Ping Lacson
Nais ni dating Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson na magkaroon ng review ng mga social service programs ng ehekutibo, para tiyaking hindi mapapahamak ang ating pangkalahatang ekonomiya.
Ani Lacson, ang mga ahensyang nagpapatupad ng ganitong programa ay dapat magkaroon ng database ng benepisyaryo at mga malinaw na layunin para umangat ang buhay ng mga Pilipino.
Sa panayam sa radyo, ipinunto din ni Lacson ang mga ulat na may katiwalian sa ganitong programa kung kaya’t hindi nakakarating sa nararapat ang tulong.
“At the very least, i-review. Kung may matuwid naman at may malinaw na database na pinagbabasehan, okay lang yan. At saka anong direction at maging resulta nito? Kung wala tayong hinaharap na resulta at ang ano lang nito makapagbigay, huwag naman. Kasi ang tatamaan talaga diyan ang ating pangkalahatan na ekonomiya,” aniya sa panayam sa dwAR.
Diin ni Lacson, kailangang may database ang ahensya tulad ng Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment at Department of Health para tiyaking makarating ang pondo ng social services programs sa dapat tulungan.
Ikinalungkot niya ang mga ulat na ang pondo ng mga programang ito ay hindi nakakarating sa benepisyaryo, o kaya’y ang mga benepisyaryo ay ang mga malalapit sa lokal na opisyal.
“Tapos may mga report pa na may corruption na involved doon kung saan di talaga natatanggap ang halaga na pinirmahan ng mga beneficiaries. Yan ang masama sa lahat,” dagdag niya.
Bukod dito, diin ni Lacson na ang mga programa ay dapat may malinaw na layunin para sa benepisyaryo, tulad ng sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), kung saang pinapa-graduate ang bata mula sa mahihirap na pamilya para mapabuti nila ang buhay ng kanilang pamilya bilang taxpayers.
“Pero kung mapunta ito sa walang balik, yan ang nakakapaghinayang. Kung ang social services ay makakapag-angat sa kabuhayan ng tinutulungan dahil nakakapagnegosyo sila at ang balik naman noon sa gobyerno in terms of revenues sa taxes at lahat, pero mukhang hindi ganoon kasi wala talagang maayos na pagpaplano,” aniya.
Tumatakbo si Lacson para senador bilang independent candidate, na may kredong “Ang tama ay ipaglaban, ang mali ay labanan.”
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