Binay steps up tirade on gov’t spending priorities

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay slammed the Aquino administration for skimping on key social services and squandering funds for the use of political allies.

"Very little has been given back to our people, especially our poor. This administration has been a tightwad in spending for necessary services, so much so that the World Bank and other international lending institutions have commented that our growth has been hampered by government’s underspending in public works and social services," said Binay during the 69th Annual Representative Assembly of the Negros Occidental Teachers Federation in Bacolod City.

Too much for CCT The Vice President also questioned the big allocation for the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program despite studies revealing its failure to reach intended recipients and improve their lives.

“The ratios of the basic services budgets vis-à-vis the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) have been relatively low, except for the Conditional Cash Transfer or CCT. But according to an ADB (Asian Development Bank) report, 30% of CCT’s beneficiaries are not poor. And only 5% of the doubtful beneficiaries has been delisted,” he said.

“For five years, the administration has bragged about our growing economy. Unfortunately, the poor barely felt that growth. Our GDP may have posted increases every year, but many even feel poorer now than they were five years ago. Growth has been exclusively for the ruling class and their allies. But the majority do not benefit,” he added.

Makati model for education Recognizing education as potent instrument for human development and nation-building, Binay mapped out a plan to improve the education sector, especially the plight of teachers.

He said the plan used Makati City as model and its components have been tried and proven effective by the city government.

The Vice President said the program will need the creation of a National Education Council (NEC) to be composed of government’s training arms such as the Commission on Higher Education, the Department of Labor and Employment and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Binay also said that the private partners of the NEC will be tapped to build more classrooms.