'Pito-pito X 4' and new rides

When Filipinos mention the term "pito-pito," it generally refers to a local plant or herb believed to have medicinal value.

- CITO BELTRAN

But for people in politics and Congress, "pito-pito" also refers to congressional funds or allocations where participating members of Congress allegedly receive the following:

• P7 million that goes to their MAIP or Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients;

• P7 million for their TUPAD budget or the Tulong Pang hanap buhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers.

• P7 million for AICS or Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations.

The MAIP is a program of the Department of Health and presumably is one of the channels used by members of Congress to provide medical-financial assistance to indigent constituents by issuing letters of guarantee or endorsements to government hospitals and the DSWD.

The TUPAD project is under the Department of Labor and Employment that is essentially a short-term job generation program enlisting unemployed housewives and unemployed barangay residents by employing them as streetsweepers. Again, members of Congress can influence the program and boost their reputation by channeling additional "unprogrammed funds" to it.

Meanwhile, the AICS or Assistance to Individuals in Crisis fund is one of the many assistance programs channeled through the DSWD where part of the "pito-pito" program can be directed by each congressman.