Bong Go hits DSWD for halting issuance of guarantee letter

Senator Bong Go on Monday criticized the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) temporary suspension of the issuance of Guarantee Letters under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

Go expressed his dismay over the "illogical" policies of the government in a Senate health and demography committee hearing.

"Nabasa ko po sa news na ang DSWD ay nag-set po ng deadline kasi magsasara na po ang libro nila. Eh papano na lang po ang mga magkakasakit? May deadline ba yun? May extension ba ang buhay kung wala silang matatakbuhan?" Go said.

(I read in the news that the DSWD has set the deadline [on their release of guarantee letters] because they will already close their books. How about those who will need medical assistance? Will their life be extended if they have no one to turn to?)

"Andiyan na naman po ang mga polisiya ng gobyerno na illogical po. Baka puwede niyo naman pong gawan ng paraan sa DSWD. Bakit po kailangan niyong magsara ng libro eh pwede niyo namang gawan ng sistema po ito na tuloy tuloy po ang serbisyo ng gobyerno," he went on.

(Here we go again with the government's illogical policies. Perhaps you could find a way in the DSWD. Why is it necessary to close the books when you could create a system that ensures the government services remain uninterrupted?)

Go said the DSWD could set aside funds for the guarantee letters under the AICS for its release every last quarter or month of the year.

"Kailangan i-explain niyo po ito sa publiko," he said.

(The DSWD should explain this to the public.)

The committee secretary informed Go that DSWD Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao confirmed to attend the hearing but she was not able to come because "she was called by the secretary an hour before the public hearing."

This earned the ire of Go and prompted him to issue a show cause order against the DSWD official to explain her absence.

"Sa news nabasa ko siya 'yung nagsabi na may deadline po ang pag-aavail ng medical assistance mula sa DSWD kasi magsasara na ng libro. Siya yung inimbita niyo, siya yung nagconfirm, siya yung wala ngayon," Go said.

(I read in the news that she said there is a deadline for availing the assistance in the DSWD. She was invited, she confirmed her attendance, but she is not present.)

"The committee will issue a show cause order and have her explain her absence in this hearing," he added.  

In November, Dumlao announced the halting of the issuance of the guarantee letters under AICS, explaining that the pause in this program would facilitate the annual liquidation process and complete the payments to service providers who have already assisted beneficiaries.

According to the press release of the DSWD, the suspension will not impact the provision of AICS assistance to clients in crisis.

"Those in need can still access cash assistance for services amounting to Php10,000 or less," the DSWD statement read.—LDF, GMA Integrated News