Protection of Pantawid Gains Primordial

Following the pronouncement of presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte that he will appoint a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to be at the helm of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) upon his assumption to office, incumbent Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that she respects this presidential prerogative of the incoming head of the country.

“It is the right of the presumptive President to choose the members of his cabinet. We at the DSWD are now preparing our transition report. We want to make sure that the aspirations of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and other programs and services of the Department, especially the positive changes in the lives of the partner-beneficiaries, their continued empowerment, and the significant strides along health and education will be protected,” Sec. Soliman pointed out.

Earlier this week, the 8-point economic agenda of the new administration was unveiled, which included the enhancement of the Pantawid program. Sec. Soliman asked how this is consistent should DSWD be under a Communist party member. ‘It is on record that the Communist Party of the Philippines has not been supportive of the Pantawid program,’ she noted.

Currently, some 4.4 million households are included in the program. (DSWD)