TRANSCRIPT OF AMBUSH INTERVIEW WITH SEN. FRANKLIN DRILON

Q: On SC decision allowing live coverage of Ampatuan trial.

Pag naka televised ay makikita ng tao kung ginagawa nang tama ang paglilitis ng kaso.

Q: Satisfied ka ba sa explanation ng DSWD sa CCT?

Satisfied naman at nakikita naman na talagang sinisikap nila na pagbutihin itong pinaka importanteng programa ng ating pamahalaan at ito ay isa pa lang sa ating imo monitor sa Oversight Committee on Public Expenditures. Ang susunod dito yung Department of Health, yung Department of Public Works and Highways at Armed Forces. Ito po ay ating titignan kung paano nila ginagastos ang pera ng taumbayan.

Q: According to DSWD baka magkaroon pa sila ng shortage na P2 billion dahil napabilis yung kanilang sistema ng registration. So pano yun sir?

Malaking problema yan. Hindi ko alam kung saan kukunin yung pondong ito. Hindi pa namin napag-usapan kung saan manggagaling ang pondong ito. Ngunit hindi madaling maghanap ng P2 billion sa ating budget.

Q: Supplemental budget?

Supplemental budget siguro ang kailangan ngunit nakalagay sa ating Saligang Batas that a supplemental budget must be accompanied by a certification from the National Treasurer as to the availability of funds.

Q: So malabo?

Hindi ko alam because hindi ko alam ang status ng ating finances at this point.

Q: Dapat bang slow down muna ang registration para hindi kulangin ng P2 billion?

That's one alternative but again the expectations might be very high. I would probably advise the DSWD to stick to their program at this point.

Q: Pag may certification na ang National Treasurer ng availability?

Then we examine the need for that at this point. We have not gone into that. They have asked for additional budget. There might be a need for a supplemental budget. A certification from the National Treasurer is required. Pagdating ng certification ating susuriin kung talagang kailangan ang additional P2 billion.

Q: So you're not ready to give your endorsement?

No, I am not ready to give my endorsement.

Q: Magkano na ang magiging allocation for CCT next year?

Hindi ko pa alam. Wala pang sina-submit na budget for expenditures and sources of funds.

Q: On CCT hearing.

I was satisfied with the explanation although ang hinahanap ko pa ngayon ang kanilang accomplishments in terms of improving health and education of the beneficiaries. That is why kanina the presentation was limited to the activities which have been undertaken as a result of the expenditure that they made. For example they say that 96% of the funded beneficiaries visited health center. So I would like to know, after they have visited health centers, has infant mortality gone down? After 96% of those covered or funded have sent their children to school, has it improved the ability of these kids to read and write? Yan po ang aking hinahanap. Understandably, they would have the SWS conduct the survey in November. That is what we will be looking for in terms of actual accomplishments. In other words, when we launched this program, we have a mission: the mission is to improve the health of the poorest of the poor. Has it actually improved? The visits to the health centers is supposed to do that. But other than the number of visits to the health centers, hindi pa natin alam if it has actually improved by a decrease in mortality for example. Yung mga ganung data ay darating siguro pag nagkaroon na ng survey ang SWS.

Q: Acceptable sa inyo na SWS ang gamitin para sa impact assessment?

Yes, acceptable sa akin dahil SWS has a name to protect. Hindi nila lolokohin ang survey. They are in this field and I'm sure they will protect their name by giving a survey that is credible.

Q: Yung safeguards sa padded beneficiaries?

Under the circumstances, the percentage of what you called padding is very negligible compared to the universe of beneficiaries that they have. Maliit lang.