Nuns slam government's cash aid to poor

A RELIGIOUS group has described the government's P30 billion cash aid to poor families as "basically anti-poor."

Sisters Association in Mindanao (Samin) said the recently announced aid through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is not enough to move poor families up from poverty.

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"While helping the millions of poor is a priority, the government's idea of giving dole outs would not be enough to alleviate them from poverty," Samin executive secretary Sr. Elsa Compuesto said.

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman said the department aims to reach two to four million beneficiaries in the continuance of the 4Ps program for 2010 and 2011 with a budget of some P30 billion.

Soliman said P15 billion has been allocated for 2010 and another P15 billion for 2011.

The aid prioritizes children and pregnant women and recipients can get as much as P1,400 each monthly.

Compuesto said in a statement that the Aquino administration can help the poor better by "seeking long-lasting solutions such as agrarian reform and jobs creation."

Samin issued such calls following their biennial assembly held on August 26-29 at Mother Francisca Spirituality Center in General Santos City where 43 sisters from 16 congregations joined the assembly.

"The bottomline is that the government upholds the dignity of the poor by providing them jobs, lands, education, etc. They shouldn't be treated like beggars," Compuesto said.

"There is an old saying that goes if you teach people how to fish, they will eat forever," she added.

Soliman said families that can avail of aid from the Pantawid Pilipino Program are mandated to follow guidelines to improve their living such as they must have children, aged six to 14 years old, enrolled in school and must attend at least 85 percent of class hours.

In exchange for the financial aid, pregnant women must receive prenatal and post-natal care; children under five years of age must receive regular preventive health checkups and vaccinations; and children in elementary schools must receive deworming treatment at least twice a year.

Meanwhile, Samin issued a statement calling for President Aquino "to root his promise of change on justice for the poor" and for the protection of environment especially in Mindanao.

"There is much more to be done than mouthing these words. Change must come when there is social justice for the poor," Samin said.

Exposure trips in three communities in the Soccsksargen region were also held, particularly in Malalag, Davao del Sur, where a coal-fired power plant is threatening their rivers.

They also interviewed plantation workers in Polomolok, Sarangani whose job security is threatened along with tuna handliners in Makar Wharf.

Compuesto said their observations would mean Samin "will continue their prophetic mission of working for the poor, to uphold human dignity and protect Creation."

The group also asked for Aquino to push for the pursuit of justice for the victims of the Ampatuan massacre, and for the cancellation of the Visiting Forces Agreement as it violates national sovereignty by allowing unimpeded entry of American troops and facilities in the country.

The issue of peace was also raised by the group, as they call for the resumption of peace talks that will seek to address the roots of the armed conflict that rages in Mindanao. They also called for the pullout of military troops in communities to stop the ongoing militarization. (Jade C. Zaldivar)