Local Officials Have No Power To Delist 4Ps Beneficiaries –Soliman

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reiterated Tuesday its reminder to beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) that no barangay and other local officials have the power to delist them and therefore they should never believe any threats to delist them.

In a press briefing held at DSWD Central Office in Batasan Hills Quezon City, DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman said the department had been receiving reports that some barangay officials threatened 4Ps beneficiaries to delist them if they would not vote the candidates being backed by the barangay officials.

“It is only the DSWD Regional and National office that can delist the beneficiaries,” Soliman clarified as she mentioned that delisting was done based on the “non-compliance” of beneficiaries on the condition set to be followed as beneficiaries under 4Ps and not on the “powers” of the barangay officials or any other local officials.

Soliman added that barangay officials had no list of beneficiaries and cannot manipulate the list by delisting anyone that they wanted to get delisted because the list (gathered through the Listahanan-Talaan ng LIstahan ng Mahihirap na Pamilyang Pilipino) belonged to the central office.

“Beneficiaries remain in the program based on their compliance to the program conditionalities and not on the decision of local officials or their preference of candidates in the upcoming elections,” the DSWD Chief added.

She further said that since the “non-compliance” was the basis for delisting, it was therefore the “negative acts” of beneficiaries that could trigger the process of delisting.

She cited that these “non-compliance” can be seen if the beneficiaries does not comply on the following conditions:

-(1)Sending of children to school or making them attend their classes which should be 85 percent compliant; (2) attending family development sessions (FDS) every month to help them develop- change of behavior and improve their family relationships and outlooks; and spending the money on vices such as gambling, drinking sprees, drug addiction etc.

She further said that they had been receiving the reports for the last two weeks and most of these were happening in Cebu.

She added that currently, verifications and investigations were being done and looking after in forwarding the complaints to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

In the midst of it all, she appealed to barangay and other local officials to refrain from dictating to their constituents whom should they vote for because beneficiaries have the right to choose their candidates.

“Pakiusap po (to barangay captains)wag ninyo insultuhin ang mga benepisyaryo ng Pantawid dahil alam po nila ang tama at mali,”

She also reminded beneficiaries to remain tough in their choice and do not believe what would be dictated to them.

Beneficiaries can report, through text messages, to the Pantawid Pamilya Grievance Hotline, she added.(PNA) RMA/LSJ/EDS