Incoming Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin Tulfo said he will step down from his post if he cannot deliver on his commitments within six to 12 months.
Tulfo addressed his critics, questioning his appointment as the next DSWD chief in a televised public briefing on Tuesday, May 31.
“Doon sa mga kababayan natin na nangangailang ng tulong, walang matakbuhan, walang malapitan, hindi po pinapansin pero kailangan po ng tulong pampa-ospital, pagamot, palibing meron po tayong DSWD na malalapitan. Hanggat sa kakayanin po natin, tutulungan po natin ang lahat wala tayong iiwan (To our countrymen who need help, there is no one to run to, no one to turn to, they are ignored but they need help, hospital, treatment—we have the DSWD that they can approach. As much as we can, we will help everyone and leave no one behind),” the broadcaster said.
“Doon naman sa mga kritiko ko, since yesterday, inulan na po ang social media ng batikos, banat pati na rin ang ilang media men and women na hindi siguro gusto yung mukha ko. Ang pakiusap ko laman ho ay bigyan naman ako ng six to 12 months. Kapag hindi ako nakapagdeliver ako na mismo ang bababa sa pwesto (To my critics, since yesterday, my social media has been flooded with criticisms. Some were from media men and women who probably didn’t like to see my face. My only request is to give me six to 12 months. If I can’t deliver, I’ll step down on my free will),” he added.
However, if he will deliver on his job as head of the DSWD, Tulfo asked his critics to allow him to finish his term until 2028.
“Yan ang pangako ko sa mga kritiko ko ngayon. Bigyan niyo lang ako ng one year tutal mabilis lang naman po yan, kapag hindi po ako nakapagdeliver. Pero kapag nagdeliver naman ako eh hayaan niyo na ako tapusin ko na ang termino ko in six years (That is my promise to my critics. Just give me one year, that’s going to be really fast. If I can’t deliver, then I’ll step down. But if I’ll be able to deliver, then let me finish my term in six years),” Tulfo said.
BBM’s marching orders
Tulfo said he has already received marching orders from President-elect Bongbong Marcos Jr. on the priority programs to be implemented under the next administration.
“Nakausap ko si incoming Executive Secretary (Victor) Rodriguez na instruction daw sa kanya ni President-elect Marcos na ibaba sa akin at sabihin na gusto niya idigitalize ang pagbibigay ng ayuda sa DSWD para mas mabilis and at the same time linisin ang listahan ng DSWD, yung mga hindi na kinakailangan na nandiyan dapat alisin (I spoke to incoming Executive Secretary (Victor) Rodriguez who was instructed by President-elect Marcos to tell me he wanted to digitalize the provision of DSWD aid to speed up the process, and at the same time to clean up the DSWD list. Those that no longer needed help must be removed),” he said.
“Yung inumpisahan ni Senator Bong Go na Malasakit Center, itutuloy pa rin natin. Isa pang order ng incoming President Marcos ay yung tinatawag na pandemic recovery, yung mga nawalan ng trabaho na ngayo’y naghihirap dapat na pong tulungan sa pamamagitan ng pondo ng DSWD for livelihood programs (The one started by Senator Bong Go, the Malasakit Center, we will still continue that. Another order of incoming President Marcos is the so-called pandemic recovery. Those who have lost their jobs and are struggling should be given help through by providing them with livelihood programs through the DSWD funds),” he added.
Tulfo also seeks to promote long-time DSWD employees as undersecretary, assistant secretary, or director to help him address equally important issues, such as teenage pregnancy, street children and homelessness, and the juvenile justice system.
“We need people na nasa baba na hindi nabigyan ng opportunity. Kailangan iaakyat natin sila kasi sila ang nakakaalam sa mga problema noon pa man. Kailangan lang sila na marinig, ilagay sila as Usec (undersecretary), Asec (assistant secretary), director, nakapalibot sa OSEC para mabigyan tayo ng advice kung anong dapat gawin (We need people at the bottom who have not been given the opportunity. We need to promote them because they have known the problems even before us. They just need to be heard. Put them as undersecretary, assistant secretary, or director at the Office of the Secretary to give us advice on what to do),” he said.