The Gabriela Women’s Party is seeking an investigation on the delisting of 1.3 million beneficiaries from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas on Wednesday filed a resolution that seeks a congressional probe into the action of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Under House Resolution No. 200, Brosas said “it is incredulous to accept the claim that more families have crossed the poverty line and are considered as non-poor, especially with the nonstop price hikes, depressed wages, and massive joblessness.”
“This ‘instawid’ or instant tawid scheme is highly questionable and must be investigated,” Brosas said.
She noted that DSWD has not clarified what will be done to the P15 billion to be generated as savings due to the delisting.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Brosas urged House Speaker Martin Romualdez to support the resolution and order the holding of inquiry on the ongoing delisting of 4Ps beneficiaries.
“We in Gabriela Partylist have always put forward our critique of the limitations of 4Ps as a failed poverty alleviation program. But in times of dire crisis, such a program can serve as a lifeline to struggling Filipinos,” she said.
“Kaya malaking usapin ang pagbawas sa bilang ng benepisyaryo nito.”
DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo earlier explained that the beneficiaries were only removed from the list as their quality of life has already improved and are no longer considered poor.
Tulfo said they considered each beneficiary as no longer poor if their family members can sustain their livelihood without the assistance of 4Ps.