DSWD to insulate CCT program from politics

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines  — The social welfare department is instituting measures to insulate the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program from politicians.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Cordillera regional director Leonardo Reynoso said they are coming up with a memorandum reminding all beneficiaries that they can join foras other than those launched by the department provided they attend as active citizens and not as CCT beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries are discouraged from wearing their CCT T-shirts in political gatherings sponsored by political groups and politicians.

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman warned of the “vulnerability” of the CCT to politics and ordered the insulation of the program during elections.

There are at least 3.1 million CCT beneficiary-families nationwide and some 54,000 families are enjoying the bridge program in the highland region.

With an average of three voters per family, a candidate who successfully courts CCT beneficiaries will have at least nine million votes, which makes the program vulnerable to political maneuverings.

“We make it certain that mayors understand that we service everyone without political consideration,” said Janet Armas of the DSWD regional office.

Irene Bungay, CCT regional program coordinator, said measures are being undertaken to parry any influence from political figures and candidates.

“Rather than punitive, like publicly denouncing political figures trying to sway votes of CCT beneficiaries, we are arming beneficiaries to become empowered and liberated from traditional politics via a voters’ education program that teaches beneficiaries to choose their leaders well,” she said.