There is no truth to criticisms that the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program is “degrading to human dignity” and not helping alleviate poverty at all, Malacañang said Wednesday.

 

"I don't see the logic behind the resistance to CCT other than the fact that it has depoliticized or it has taken away patronage politics," presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday.

 

The program – part of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) 4Ps program – gives poor families up P1,400 in monthly stipends on condition that children stay in school and take care of maternal and children’s health. 

 

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño said the CCT does not really help beneficiaries, some of whom supposedly told him they prefer to have jobs and livelihood opportunities than dole-outs.

 

Lacierda, however, said the program was an investment on the people, especially the youth.

 

He explained that among the conditions for the grant of the CCT is for beneficiaries to ensure that their children go to school and get the proper healthcare.

 

"Si Congressman Casiño ba ay hindi sang-ayon na mag-invest tayo sa future generation that we put the children sa school? What's his beef against CCT?" the Palace official said.

 

He also said that aside from these conditions, the CCT also offers livelihood programs. 

 

"I would like to invite Congressman Casiño to visit the CCT beneficiaries themselves. Go to the town and municipality and we can provide him the CCT beneficiaries," he said, adding that the CCT has worked in Mexico and Brazil.

 

Lacierda said the program is being implemented in 79 of Philippines’ 80 provinces.

 

The DSWD said at least three million beneficiaries are now covered by the program, up from 2.3 million in 2011.

 

Malacañang announced early this month it will allocate $1 billion (P44 billion) for the program, and enroll all 4.3 million indigent households under the CCT by 2016. — VS, GMA News