Press Release
November 18, 2010

ANGARA: SURPLUS CCT BUDGET SHOULD
GO INTO HIRING MORE TEACHERS

In a recent interview, Senator Edgardo J. Angara reiterated that his opposition to the 21 Billion proposed budget of the Conditional Cash Transfer program or CCT is not indicative of his personal opinions towards the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or its head, Secretary Dinky Soliman.

"I have such high regard for Dinky. Unfortunately, when she assumed the position of DSWD secretary, she also inherited the existing problems of the agency. For example, their liquidation papers are incomplete, their COA audit is still unfinished--this is why I say that the DSWD might not be ready to handle such a huge amount of money," he explained.

When asked about the possible course of action regarding the DSWD budget, Angara recommended trimming down the CCT funding and realigning it for other programs.

"I suggested reducing the amount for CCT from 21 to 16 Billion because perhaps this is a more manageable amount for them. We could reallocate part of the surplus 5 Billion to the DepEd, which I believe should also be involved in the implementation of the CCT program," said Angara, who is vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Finance.

According to Angara, who heads the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture and part of the Commission on Appointments, the next DepEd secretary would also have a lot on his plate.

"The Department of Education faces the ever-present problem of scarcity of teachers. I recommend using this additional funding for hiring-in the educational system, the teachers are the first ones who make a real difference."

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