The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday (January 9) took exception to the Commission on Audit (COA) report that paid beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) 2020 to 2022 were not listed in the Listahanan 2 database.

“All 4Ps beneficiaries referred as ‘unlisted’ in the 2023 COA report have been accounted for through the use of name-matchings meticulously conducted by our personnel in the 4Ps and Listahanan,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said on Thursday (January 9).

In the 2023 annual audit report on the DSWD, COA noted that of the 14,004 paid beneficiaries of 4Ps from 2020 to 2022, 9,553 were not listed in the Listahanan 2 in 2020; 9,057 in 2021; and 8,498 in 2022.

In the response letter submitted to COA on 14 August 2024, the DSWD, through the 4Ps National Program Management Office (NPMO) and National Household Targeting Office (NHTO), said it conducted rigorous data validation and performed a manual name-matching process on the 14,004 validated sample households.

As a result of these efforts, only 17 households from the validated sample households were not found in Listahanan 1 and 2 but were later included in Listahanan 3.

With the institutionalization of the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) set to be implemented this year, the Department is confident that it will lessen or prevent similar issues in the future.

The DSWD underscores its commitment to transparency and ensuring the effective implementation of the 4Ps program, according to the DSWD spokesperson.

“We acknowledge the findings of COA and view them as an opportunity to further enhance the targeting processes. Our priority is to ensure that the benefits of 4Ps reach the poorest and most vulnerable families across the country,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

The DSWD spokesperson also stressed that the Department has always adhered to transparency and accountability in its program implementation. “It gives importance to the findings of the COA and it ascertains that it is compliant to the specific recommendations provided by the audit agency,” she said.

Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the Department has also committed to revisiting the recommendations of the COA and will continue to provide updates on its progress.

“The DSWD calls on all stakeholders, including local government units and partner agencies, to collaborate in ensuring that the program effectively addresses the needs of marginalized communities and promotes a more inclusive society,” the DSWD spokesperson said. #