Palace: Soliman still enjoys Aquino’s trust

DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Thursday said President Benigno Aquino III is satisfied with Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman’s work despite groups questioning the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s handling of relief operations and the conditional cash transfer.

“Patuloy ang pagtitiwala ni Pangulong Aquino kay Secretary Soliman dahil sa kanyang dedikasyon sa tungkulin at kasipagan,” Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said during a televised press briefing.

(President Aquino continues to trust Secretary Soliman because of her dedication to her work and her diligence.)

The statement came after the Commission on Audit (COA) reported that a large amount of CCT funds remain unliquidated by the Philippine Postal Corp., which distributes the funds to beneficiaries.

Read: COA: P5B CCT funds lost in Philpost

However, both the DSWD and the Philpost explained that the report has already been addressed. DSWD said only P1.6 billion remain unliquidated while Philpost said it is already addressing the delays.

Read: Philpost’s unliquidated CCT funds only P1.6B, says DSWD and ‘CCT funds reached beneficiaries’

Another COA report said relief goods meant for typhoon “Yolanda” (international name “Haiyan”) survivors were wasted because of improper handling — mostly a problem with warehouses and transportation.

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