Dominguez urges digitalization of gov’t subsidy programs

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez is calling for a digitalization of the national government's subsidy programs to avoid corruption in distributing it to qualified beneficiaries.

"We wish to inform the President and my colleagues in the Cabinet on the latest updates on the small business wage subsidy program and the factors that have made this program largely efficient and effective," Dominguez said in his report during President Rodrigo Duterte's public address recorded Monday night and aired Tuesday morning.

"Based on the adoption of the following principles for future subsidy programs, number one ho, we think all subsidy programs in the future should be digitized," Dominguez added.

"Ito po mahirap pong gumawa ng kalokohan dito kung by computer, talagang walang cash na hinahandle, nobody can keep the cash," Dominguez said.

He said the direct distribution of assistance should be through banks or e-wallet accounts of the qualified beneficiaries.

He added that one of the most important factors which made small business wage subsidy a successful program is "close administration oversight of the critical steps of the program." 

"That’s why ho we took lessons here at pinasok ho namin sa [proposed] Bayanihan 2 law na as much as possible lahat ng tulong sa tao give it through the banks, through Lhuillier, so no cash is handled as little as cash as possible," Dominguez said. "Walang mangungupit, walang nawawala."

Duterte also touted the benefits of digital cash transfers.

"Ang maganda kasi dito is iyong wala ng transaction na may tao-tao, puro makina na lang," he said.

"There is no intermediary and there is no intervention of any kind lalo na tao, diretso sa inyo." — with Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News