Welfarism 22: CCT, 4Ps and Central Planning

More government central planning, more wastes and inefficiencies. This is once more exhibited in the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) program of the government.

My economist friend from UP, Jhiedon Florentino, rode a taxi and engaged the taxi driver to a fruitful conversation. Well, it’s more of probing the mind of one of the average persons in this country on what they think of certain government policies like the CCT. Jhie is down to earth enough to listen to the man’s frank ideas and witty remarks. Then he posted their conversation in his facebook wall last October 12-13, 2012. One more reason why fb is both an entertaining and educational platform in the planet today – at zero politics, zero taxes involved.

“Me” here refers to Jhiedon. The taxi driver is from Malinta, Valenzuela City, Metro Manila. Jhie posted this in a 4-parts installment in his fb wall. There are comments after each part. I put all the comments and exchanges after part 4. I also made short English translation to some points, for the non-Filipino readers of this blog. Thanks to Jhie for allowing me to post this in my blog. Six pages pages long, enjoy!

Part 1:

Manong Tx driver: ...d naman namin hinihingi maging 4Ps, pero binigyan kami...

Me: lahat sa sitio ninyo 4Ps manong?
Manong: Di ko nga maintindihan, yung mga taong dapat makaavail, hindi nakakakuha, yung mga nagbabasura...

Me: sa tingin ninyo manong, bakit....
Manong: sa katamaran na pumunta, di nila alam, at iyong iba mga wala namang mga IDs. Tapos aatend ka ng mga meeting, malayo...

Me: nakaatend na kayo manong ng mga meeting
Manong: oo, nung minsan nagkasakit si misis

Me: anong pinagusapan ninyo nung FDS manong
Manong: naku, FAMILY PLANNING ang pinaguusapan nung pumunta ako....

(Translation: Driver said they did not ask for the 4Ps but government gave them the money. He did not understand why the less poor got the money but the very poor like garbage scavengers got nothing, they are lazy to walk long and attend meetings, or they do not have any ID. He attended one meeting, the topic was about family planning)