Marcos also orders revitalization of tourism industry
PRESIDENT-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has given the incoming secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) his first order: Digitalize the list and records of social welfare beneficiaries to ensure better delivery of services and aid.
Incoming Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, in several interviews, said the marching order of Marcos Jr. was for him to prioritize the computerization of the list and records of the DSWD’s social welfare beneficiaries to avoid a repeat of what happened during the distribution of its special amelioration program (SAP) at the height of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Tulfo said his first official act as DSWD secretary would be to review the current distribution set up and mechanism employed by the department for its social welfare programs, and its list of beneficiaries, then compare this with the list of local government units.
He said the list would not be limited to SAP recipients but would also include the beneficiaries of other social programs and services under the DSWD.
Tulfo said he wants to ensure the delivery of aid to those in need within 24 hours of calamities and disasters, such as typhoons and earthquakes, by establishing quick reaction teams and operation centers on the ground which will monitor and swiftly assist affected communities.
He said he also wants to be “on the ground” before or even during the calamities, if possible, or at least after it happened as he believes that the presence of someone from the government after calamities provide people hope.
“I will be a secretary people can touch, people can talk to,” he said.
As DSWD secretary, Tulfo said he intends to bring some of his people with him, especially those that he had worked with in his public service activities.
However, he said he would likewise retain many of the DSWD personnel, particularly those who provide social welfare and psychological services, among others.
He said he also plans to regularize employees of the DSWD that have long been working with the department but are still under contractual arrangement.
Tulfo acknowledged the criticisms and doubts expressed by some sectors about his appointment and asked his critics to to give him six months to one year to prove himself and deliver the priorities of the incoming Marcos administration.
He said he would voluntarily step down if he fails to deliver as secretary of the DSWD.
REVITALIZING TOURISM
Incoming Tourism Secretary Liloan Mayor Christina Garcia-Frasco said Marcos Jr.’s vision was to revitalize the tourism industry to propel the Philippines’ post-pandemic economic growth.
“In Cebu where tourism is a major driver of our economy, I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of the pandemic and recent calamities, and the positive impact that effective tourism governance can have on the revival of the tourism industry,” she said.
Frasco said would push for closer and stronger partnership among LGUs and tourism stakeholders while pursuing infrastructure investment, sustainability and innovation, job generation, and social protections for tourism workers.
Outgoing Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the DOT transition team is ready to welcome and brief Frasco, as well as turnover the National Tourism Development Plan 2022 to 2028 and the reformulated Tourism Response and Recovery Plan.
AFP MODERNIZATION
The Department of National yesterday urged the incoming Marcos administration to continue the implementation of the modernization program of the Armed Forces, which DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said is the “most important” program of the defense department under the administration of President Duterte.
“We have achieved a lot over the past six years, since the start of this (Duterte)administration,” said Andolong, referring to the modernization program, which calls for the acquisition of modern assets for the military.
Several big-ticket items were acquired during the Duterte administration under the AFP modernization programs, including two frigates, Embraer A-29B Super Tucano light attack aircraft, T129 ATAK attack helicopters, and S-70i Black Hawk helicopters.
The defense department has signed several other contracts for acquisition of other big-ticket items, including corvettes, shore-based anti-ship missile system, and additional Black Hawk helicopters.
“That (AFP modernization program) is the most important program that we want to endorse to the next secretary (of defense),” said Andolong. “We’re inching closer to achieving what we call credible defense posture where we will be able to patrol all corners of our country.”
The camp of Marcos has yet to announce who will succeed incumbent Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, a retired Army major general who has headed the defense department for the past six years.
Andolong said the implementation of the AFP modernization program, including acquisition of missile systems, multi-role fighters, and submarines in the future, requires a huge budget.
“We’ve really come a long way since the first day that this administration took office.
Before, we cannot conduct patrol extensively and really did not have enough equipment to cover most of the archipelago. But because of the support that the President has given… the Armed Forces and the defense department have improved and has become more efficient,” he also said.
Andolong said the Armed Forces has gone a long way in terms of modernization “but we’re not quite there yet,” referring to a fully-modernized military. — With Victor Reyes
