DSWD checking pork barrel-funded NGO projects

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is conducting a check on pork barrel-funded projects of the 421 non-government organizations or civil society organizations (CSOs) it has accredited.

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said that while the DSWD has ascertained that the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel released to the department were given to its accredited CSOs, the department has opted to conduct revalidation checks.

“The PDAF that has come through us are with NGOs that are already accredited. But we are also doing our checks now,” Soliman told The STAR.

Revalidation checks came following the pork barrel scam. Calls were made to put in place mechanisms that would prevent the release of pork barrel funds to fly-by-night NGOs for ghost projects, one of which is to limit the release of PDAF to DSWD-accredited CSOs or foundations. Another suggestion is to limit the release of PDAF by lawmakers to NGOs or projects within their district or constituency.