Secretary Soliman: No regrets

MANILA, Philippines—Despite the backlash she received from critics, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman does not regret bringing 99 homeless families to a Batangas resort for an out-of-town activity during Pope Francis’ apostolic visit earlier this month.

“I don’t see anything I should regret because we have been doing this orientation for the modified conditional cash transfer (CCT) program in previous years,” Soliman said on Thursday on the sidelines of the 64th anniversary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The DSWD head earlier said that her office spent P4.3 million for 490 families and staff members during the six-day “training” at Chateau Royale, an expensive resort in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Soliman initially said the activity was done not to hide the homeless from the Pontiff. But during a Senate hearing early this week, she said it was to keep the street families out of harm’s way from the crowds wanting to see Pope Francis.

Since 2012

The modified CCT program is a special version of the CCT for street dwellers, who are given monthly stipends for their children’s education, health and house rental to keep them off the streets.

The DSWD said it has been doing the orientation for the modified CCT since 2012.

Soliman said the controversy gave the DSWD an opportunity to enlighten the public on its programs for homeless families.

“I don’t see anything wrong in what we have done… I’d say the experience (the orientation for the street dwellers) is worth the investment,” she said.

They want the homeless to realize there could be a better life off the streets, she said.

Soliman also clarified that she was not weeping during the Senate hearing, but was only blowing her nose.

“I have no reason to cry, I was only blowing my nose. I am hard to irk,” she said.

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