Binay to continue CCT program if elected

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay denied yesterday that he would stop the implementation of the government’s conditional cash transfer program, more popularly known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), if elected president next year.

Rico Quicho, Binay’s spokesman for political concerns, said rumors that 4Ps would stop under a Binay presidency are circulating in Bicol, Western Visayas and Central Mindanao, targeting program beneficiaries.

He believes the rumors were part of a sustained smear campaign.

“These rumors have been recurrent. We have received similar reports in the other places the Vice President has visited, which reinforce our belief that this is a sustained drive to again smear the Vice President’s name. Such dirty tactics cast doubt on the statements of others that they will ensure clean elections,” Quicho said in a statement.

Quicho reiterated that Binay vowed to improve the system of granting aid to poor Filipinos to prevent complaints, including non-payment or underpayment of benefits and double entries or inaccuracies in the list of beneficiaries, which were filed previously.

He also cited a 2014 Consolidated Audit Report, released on Sept. 4, where the COA noted “recurring deficiencies,” including inaccuracies in the list of beneficiaries, distribution gridlocks, non-receipt or underpayments, non-compliance with requirements and verification issues, in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) programs and projects implementation.