Days after the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) grilled Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin Tulfo over his American citizenship and a libel conviction, Benguet Lone District Rep. Eric Yap on Sunday, Nov. 27, lauded him as an “asset” to the Marcos administration.
The lawmaker expressed support for the embattled secretary, hailing his move to provide assistance and protection to Indigenous Peoples (IPs) through the programs of the agency.
"Sec. Tulfo is truly an asset to the PBBM administration. We are grateful that his laudable performance as a Secretary is aligned with the excellent performance of duty by President Bongbong Marcos,” Yap said in a statement.
“We are confident that many more lives will be uplifted with the help of the government, especially with Sec. Tulfo at the helm of the DSWD," he added.
Since his appointment to the DSWD, the Benguet solon said that Tulfo “reinforced DSWD as a proactive agency in-charge of providing social services to the Filipino People, wherever they may be.”
“The agency brought its programs closer to every community, in order to serve thousands of families. Now, the welfare of our IPs will be given precedence," Yap furthered.
READ: CA panel defers Erwin Tulfo’s confirmation due to citizenship issues, libel suit
Just recently, the DSWD rolled out its Educational Assistance Program in which P1.6 billion in cash aid was distributed to more than 600,000 student beneficiaries.
"It is only after Sec. Tulfo announced the nationwide roll out of the educational assistance program that the public was made aware that agency has this kind of program. Through the efforts of Sec. Tulfo and the whole DSWD, more than 600,000 students were able to continue with their studies," the lawmaker noted.
He also praised Tulfo for “consistently” being one of the first responders on the ground during times of calamities, adding that victims of natural disasters and conflicts “are then safeguarded that their needs will be attended to by the agency, as it is prioritized under the leadership of Sec. Tulfo.”
"As a testament of his commendable public service, Sec. Tulfo gained 74 percent approval rating, according to a survey by the RP - Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD). Relatively, President Bongbong Marcos gained 58 percent trust rating of his work performance, according to Publicus Asia Inc.," Yap added.