Erwin Tulfo wants to keep epal politicians out of DSWD programs

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo wants to keep politicians away from his department's distribution of relief and assistance in the communities.

In the latest episode of The Mangahas Interviews, Tulfo expressed concern over politicians who use the relief program of DSWD for political ends.

“Sige mayor, sa 'yo na ang pondo na yan, pero pwede ba social worker namin ang mag-evaluate?” Tulfo said.

(Okay, mayor, the fund is yours, but can our social worker be the one to evaluate?)

“Sige, hawakan mo iyang pondo, mayor, pero tao namin ang mag-dispose, tao namin ang mag-interview at tao namin ang magbibigay ng budget. Sa inyo lang ang pera. Parang ganoon po. Pag-aaralan pa po namin yan maigi,” he added.

(Okay, mayor, you can hold the fund, but our people will be the one to dispose, interview, and give the budget. You can have the fund. Something like that. We will study it thoroughly.)

“O kaya sa mga barangay magsasabi kami na pwede kayong pumunta sa munisipyo at hanapin ang DSWD namin na nakalagay na national,” Tulfo said.

(Or in barangays we will say that residents can go to the municipality and look for the DSWD with fund from the national [government].)

The DSWD chief also assured immediate assistance to families affected by typhoons and other natural disasters.

“Binabalik ko po ngayong araw ‘yung prepositioning ng mga relief goods at saka hygiene kits at sleeping kits sa mga lugar o areas na dinadaanan ng bagyo, prone to flood at saka mga landslides para bago pa tumama ang sakuna naroon na sa kanila yung mga kakailanganin nila,” he said.

(I will bring back today the policy of prepositioning relief goods, hygiene kits and sleeping kits in areas usually affected by typhoons or are prone to flooding and landslides so that even before disaster strikes, they already have the items they need.) —Mel Matthew Doctor/NB/KG, GMA News