COA REPORT
In the Commission of Audit’s (COA) 2013 audit report on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), red flags were identified in the implementation of the Pantawid Pampamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps). This is the flagship poverty alleviation effort of the administration where they handed out conditional cash transfers (CCTs).
COA saw double entries and data errors in the records of the DSWD that resulted in the delay in the release of the cash intended for the beneficiaries as well as in liquidation issues. The report also noted that the DSWD did not complete the P2.57-billion shelter program intended for typhoon victims, particularly those who were victims of Typhoon Sendong in 2011.
THE ANSWER
We talked to Sec. Corazon “Dinky” Soliman of the DSWD on our morning show Kasangga Mo Ang Langit heard on DWIZ 882khz and on RPN provincial radio stations nationwide regarding this issue.
Sec. Soliman said that her agency is ready to answer questions related to the COA report. She said that before the report was released, meetings were held between the two agencies. “Initially, they identified some 364,000 families that were not in the National Household Targeting System and were not considered poor,” she said.
“However, given that this report for 2013 was given to us in 2014 already, a lot has changed. The names have bin pared down to 134,000 families which we validated and verified. 92% of these were found to be real families and are really poor,” she added.
DOUBLE ENTRIES
She also explained that the same issue occurred for the double entries that the COA found. “On our record, we were able to clear the final list of 4,000 that they gave to us. Also, they give the report to use in sections so were only able to address certain parts in certain times,” she said.
WHERE IS THE P46-MILLION PLUS?
Sec. Soliman explained that the P46 million that the COA said were double entries were already returned to the National Treasury. She noted that double entries may have considered those with the same names but failed to consider different middle names. “For example, Rey Langit is a beneficiary. He will be the only one to receive the benefit if the middle name is considered. LandBank will only release the benefit if all details match. We can also check the records of LandBank because they have duplicates of the check,” she said.
DELIST OR DEACTIVATE
As for the P2 billion in the CCT program, Sec. Soliman said that they still had to check the names that COA found. She said that they have already checked their records and ensured that all those who received their share were not part of those delisted. “We already completed the validation and would have to add those names that COA said they found,” she said.
LINGERING QUESTIONS
Given that the DSWD liquidation is already completed for 2013, the question still remains, what about the findings regarding the Sendong beneficiaries?
Sec. Soliman stated that she will be asking COA as to what their report is based on given that they can find no basis for it on their records. “These may be observations in specific regions and not necessarily in the central office. After the holidays, we will focus on finding the source of this information and whether or not they are true,” she said.
ANOTHER ISSUE ON SHELTER
There is also the P2.57-billion that was not given to the victims of the typhoon that still has to be accounted for. According to the secretary, no records of these were found in the central office.
Now the focus must be on scrutinising the records of Region 10 in Cagayan De Oro where the said beneficiaries are located. The houses to be built in this area are to be done in partnership with the local government. The problem area identified is Iligan City that received P250 million that has not be liquidated to this day.
Given that questions remain unanswered, a sword of Damocles remains hanging above Sec. Dinky Soliman’s head.
QUOTABLE QUOTE
Sword of Damocles – A feeling of impending doom that a massive problem is about to hit you.