Senators eye ‘audit’ of 4Ps

In a text message on Monday, Lacson cited the need to conduct a “performance audit or review” of the 4Ps program to find out what it has achieved so far. (File Photo: Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program/Facebook)

MANILA — Senate President Vicente Sotto III, along with Senators Panfilo Lacson and Gringo Honasan II, is planning to call for a congressional inquiry into the implementation of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

In a text message on Monday, Lacson cited the need to conduct a “performance audit or review” of the 4Ps program to find out what it has achieved so far.

“We plan to call for a hearing to inquire into the proper use of the 4P’s program including its accomplishments in accordance with its defined objective, the accounting of the monies so far disbursed and other relevant issues surrounding the program,” Lacson said.

“It started during the last two years of the Arroyo administration and the allocations have increased many times over,” he added.

The plan to conduct a Senate inquiry on the matter came into fore after the Department of the Interior and Local Government barred all local elective officials and politicians from taking part in national government programs and activities, particularly in attending payouts that could be used as a platform to advance their political interests.

Sotto, for his part, said a Senate inquiry is “in order” to rationalize the operation of the Pantawid program.

“Firstly, where there is smoke there is fire. Secondly, other countries and international companies spend billions on research and development yet we appropriate a very measly amount to science and communications technology,” Sotto said.

“So we want to find out how the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) budget is being spent on cash-outs,” Sotto said.