4PS party-list Representative Jonathan Clement ‘JC’ Abalos II on Wednesday said the budget slash of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps should be investigated as millions of poor Filipinos have suffered its consequences.
“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,” said Abalos.
Earlier on Tuesday, Ako Bicol Rep. Jil Bongalon said 4.3 million Filipinos did not receive cash grants totaling P13-billion from 4Ps last year after Sen. Imee Marcos redirected these funds to another social amelioration program.
“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,” he added, referring to the General Appropriations Act or national budget.
Abalos, a neophyte lawmaker, is party-list representative of Pagtibayin at Palaguin ang Pangkabuhayang Pilipino (4PS). He appealed to the Senate not to cut the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) again.
“I would like to respectfully appeal to my fellow lawmakers, particularly to the members of the Upper House. Senator Imee happens to be the chairperson and sponsor of the DSWD so napakahalaga po ng kanyang role. I am just respectfully saying na eto po ang consequence ng pag slash ng 13 billion,” Abalos said.
“Ang Kongreso, parati po naming ina-adopt ang rekomendasyon sa National Expenditure Program kasi naniniwala kami sa 4Ps – dahil parte yan ng ating PDP (Philippine Development Plan),” Abalos stressed.
The young legislator detailed that the cut in the budget happened at the Senate.
“Dun sa 13 billion budget slash sa pondo ng 4Ps Program ng DSWD, makikita po natin ito sa 2023 National Expenditure Program. Nakalaan po duon ang 115 billion pesos, ngunit nung lumabas ang 2023 General Appropriations Act, makikita natin yung disparity. Nabawasan ito ng 13 billion pesos,” Abalos said.
“This was confirmed by the recent press statement of our kind Senator Imee Marcos and I would like to know what is the wisdom behind the slashing of the 13 billion pesos?” he added.
