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Cayetano camp wants probe on utilization of funds under Bayanihan 1, 2


Former Speaker and Taguig City Representative Alan Peter Cayetano and his allies are set to file a resolution urging the House of Representatives to investigate how the funds appropriated under Bayanihan 1 and 2 were utilized.

"Today, latest tomorrow, we're going to file a resolution... 'yun nga 'yung Balik sa Tamang Serbisyo sa Kongreso, 'yung grupo will file a resolution. Basically, we want to inquire into Bayanihan 1 and 2 and use that inquiry also in the discussion sa Bayanihan 3," Cayetano said at a press briefing Tuesday.

(Today, latest tomorrow, we're going to file a resolution... the BTS group will file a resolution. Basically, we want to inquire into Bayanihan 1 and 2 and use that inquiry also in the discussion of the Bayanihan 3.)

"Sa madaling sabi, kung anong tama sa Bayanihan 1 and 2, kailangan nasa Bayanihan 3. Kung anong mali, dapat i-correct. Kung anong di inilabas na pondo, dapat sagutin ng gobyerno," he added.

(In other words, what is right in Bayanihan 1 and 2 should be included in Bayanihan 3. If there were mistakes, those should be corrected. The government must answer if there are funds that have not yet been released.)

According to Cayetano, the House inquiry will be an important tool to determine which programs under the Bayanihan 1 and 2 were effective or not.

He said it would also disclose how the assistance under the social amelioration program was distributed to beneficiaries.

"Balita ko napakarami pang appeal at bilyon pa ang nasa bangko ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) so we want to know why? Ito kami nag-aano ng 10k ayuda, ng Bayanihan 3, 'yun pala ang dami pa palang pera sa Bayanihan 1 and 2," Cayetano said.

(I've learned that there are still a lot of SAP appeals and billions are still in the bank [account] of the DSWD. We are pushing for a P10,000 cash assistance and for a Bayanihan 3 yet there are still funds under Bayanihan 1 and 2.)

Cayetano and his allies had filed a measure seeking to grant additional cash assistance to families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In House Bill 8697, the lawmakers proposed to create the Bangon Pamilyang Pilipino (BPP) Assistance Program, which will provide beneficiaries with P1,500 cash assistance per family member or P10,000 per household, whichever is higher.

A Bayanihan 3 is also being pushed in the chamber, which outlines billions worth of interventions to further help stimulate the country's economic recovery amid the health crisis.

Cayetano also said the inquiry would look into the hiring of contact tracers amid the pandemic.

In February, more than 30 lawmakers also sought an inquiry into the utilization of funds under the Bayanihan 2. — RSJ, GMA News

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