SEN. Francis “Chiz” Escudero yesterday said the idea of expediting the increase of cash assistance to the poorest of the poor families is good but doubts if the government can afford it given the fiscal dilemmas it is currently facing.
Escudero made the statement in reaction to a suggestion of Agri party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee who called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to hasten the grant of bigger financial aids to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
In an interview with radio dzBB radio, Escudero said any lawmaker will agree to have the cash assistance for 4Ps beneficiaries increased, but the government may not be able to afford it due to lack of funds as can be seen through the increased borrowings.
At present, Escudero said the country has a P13.9 trillion debt, with the Marcos administration already incurring a P1.1 trillion debt last year. The administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte borrowed more than P6 trillion, while the administration of the late president Simeon Benigno Aquino’s administration loaned P1 trillion.
The country’s debt in 2010 was pegged at only more than P4 trillion.
“Thirteen years after eh nag times 3 mahigit ang utang ng bansa, pero nag pandemic naman kaya ganon. Ang tanong ay kaya ba ng gobyerno habang namo-mroblema sila sa pension ng ibabayad sa MUP (military and uniformed personnel)? Kulang ang pondo para sa mga proyekto at serbisyo kailangang ibigay sa mga mamamayan kaya nilikha itong MIF (Maharlika Investment Fund) (Thirteen years after, the country’s debt increased 3 times, but it is understandable due to the pandemic. The question really is — Can the government afford the increase in cash assistance to 4Ps beneficiaries, while it is problematic with the pension of retired military and uniformed personnel? There is lack of funds for projects and social services needed by the people that’s why the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund was created),” Escudero said.
Over the weekend, Lee urged the DSWD to expedite the process of increasing the cash grant to 4Ps beneficiaries instead of making them wait for two more years for several bills seeking such hike is approved in Congress.
There are four measures seeking for an increase in 4Ps financial aid pending before the House Committee on Poverty Alleviation.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the department supports such move but said a law should be passed before it can do so.
Escudero said the government will have a hard time looking for additional funds for such purpose due to other pressing concerns.
