In a radio interview, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said: “Lagi pong bukas ang pamahalaan sa pagbibigay ng impormasyon na hinihiling at lagi po kaming bukas sa kooperasyon dahil ‘yan naman po ang umiiral sa pagitan ng ehekutibo at iba pang sangay ng pamahalaan.”
Some lawmakers have asked for a special inquiry into the CCT program after news came out that street children and their families were whisked away from their temporary shanties in Manila to live in Chateau Royale – with rates ranging from $90 to $500 – for a couple of days, or during the visit of Pope Francis.
In a report, Time.com quoted Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman as saying that the resort sojourn was done so that the families will “not be vulnerable to the influx of people coming to witness the Pope.”
The report went on to say: “Pressed to clarify, she expressed fears that the destitute ‘could be seen as not having a positive influence in the crowd’ and could be ‘used by people who do not have good intentions.’”
The move was heavily criticized, however.
Former CBCP President Oscar Cruz had said: “The pope came here for the poor, needy, that’s why the theme of his visit was ‘Mercy and Compassion’. All of a sudden they (DSWD) would like to hide the poor people and bring them somewhere?”
Militant lawmaker Terry Ridon, for his part, said: “The pope would have wanted to see the Philippines, warts and all. Let us not pretend that we are a first-world country.”
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
