Senate to look into Sajahatra program

and their supporters without the knowledge of and coordination with local government units.

Binay recalled that Deles once said that although most items in the peace pact had to go through legislation to be implemented, some items under the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro did not need to go through Congress.

Deles had earlier received flak for defending the MILF over the bloody clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao where more than 60 people were killed including the 44 members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) troopers.

Binay said she was concerned because the program “was infused with government funding from concerned implementing agencies of the government.”

“The program is stated as not exclusive to MILF members and be open to all Christians, Muslims and Lumads in the area,” Binay said in the explanatory note of her Senate Resolution No. 1241.

“But the list of area covered as well as the list of beneficiaries will have to come from the MILF,” Binay pointed out.

Thus, she said, it was imperative that the Senate investigates the program to ensure its real goals is achieved.

“The uncoordinated efforts of various government agencies in implementing the program without the knowledge of LGUs as well as the counter-productive identification of coverage and beneficiaries of the program, with the end view of providing various public services, warrants an investigation in aid of legislation, to ensure social protection,” Binay said.

The resolution has been referred to the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, which she chairs.