Piñol open to debate 4Ps funds repurposing

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is willing to a debate over the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) after a lawmaker opposed his proposal to turn the conditional cash transfer program’s P70- billion budget into agriculture- oriented

This after a law school he declined to name had invited him to debate with Akbayan Party-list Rep. Tom Villarin, who had labeled the proposal he made late last week an “act of extrajudicial killing” that would affect about 4.5 million families nationwide.

“I do not want to be perceived as arrogant or cocky, but if the debate would result in a better understanding of the program, I would be willing to participate,” Piñol said in a Facebook post.

was not

for the

total abolition of the P70- billion fund, saying he wanted the amount used “for livelihood projects for 4Ps ben-

raising, poultry raising, and vegetable farming—“to make them productive, instead of just giving out the cash assistance with very little” government supervision.

There should be a timetable on how long a family would receive livelihood assistance from the program, the Agriculture chief said, noting that it seemed families enrolled in the pro-

forever.”

“This deprives other families that also need support from the government, from benefitting from the program,” he added.

4Ps may result in “very low” agricultural and fishery productivity if the government continues to dole out funds, as it lessens people’s drive to earn a living, especially in the countryside, and encourage them to wait for the cash grants instead, Piñol said.

According to him, many political leaders share his view, but remain silent, fearing that the

back at them during election time.

“I will always stand up and speak up for what I believe is right, even if it would cost me political brownie points,” Piñol said.