Soliman apologizes for delayed aid to CCT beneficiaries in Mamasapano

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MAMASAPANO, Maguindanao – Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman on Tuesday was apologetic as she personally handed some P10 million in cash assistance to beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) here on Tuesday.

Soliman admitted before some 3,000 beneficiaries present during the distribution that the assistance came in quite late but added that the delay was due to unstable security situation brought about by the Jan. 25 incident here, during which, more than 60 people – including 44 elite policemen, were killed.

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“I wanted to apologize. I know it’s almost 12 months since we had our last payout for your grants under (the) CCT (Conditional Cash Transfer). I know all of you know the reason behind. Our merchants are afraid to go here because of the conflict,” she explained.

The January 25 incident also triggered weeks of military operation that displaced over 100,000 people across 15 Maguindanao towns, including some 13,000 families under the government’s 4Ps here.

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The Land Bank of the Philippines and its authorized merchant that takes care of the cash distribution had to suspend its mandate for security reason, she said, adding that a similar problem also confronted 4Ps beneficiaries in the Lanao del Sur town of Wao.

In her highly-secured visit to Tukanalipao village here, Soliman told residents that the Department of Social Welfare and Development will also be implementing the cash for asset rebuilding scheme, which will help restore properties and livelihood destroyed by the violence.

She said the funding for the program, to be implemented along with the United Nations and the ARMM government, would depend on the needs of each family.

“The scheme will also cover skills trainings. I hope to get all the data next week before we will draft the work and financial plan,” Soliman said. Charlie Señase and Jeoffrey Maitem