By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff

Recipients of public assistance found using their Quest cards to subsidize their vices would run the risk of being dropped out of the program under a bill that seeks to curb abuse of the welfare system.
"I have received reports that some public assistance recipients are using their Quest cards to buy alcohol and tobacco products. We should set up a system to regulate the welfare program," Sen. Adolpho Palacios Sr. said in introducing Bill 91.
Bill 91 prohibits the use of the welfare assistance program for purchase of alcohol and tobacco products. Penalties would be imposed on violators.
The Quest card, issued by the Department of Health and Social Services, can be used like a regular debit card. Users can either use the card to either buy their groceries or withdraw cash from the automated telemachine.
"The Quest card should be used only to purchase food. But once they withdraw money and use it to buy beer or cigarette, there’s no way to tell if that money came from Quest," said Palacios, D-Ordot/Chalan Pago.
The public welfare assistance program is aimed at temporarily assisting individuals and families in their time of need through providing funds for basic necessities such as food, water, clothing and medicinal needs.
"Public welfare assistance program was not meant for the purchase of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, which do not constitute basic living necessities. We should be able to have a control on this," Palacios said.
Under the bill, first time offense would result in three-month suspension from the program; second offense would result in six- month suspension; and third offense, one year. Fourth offenders would face a lifetime ban from any public assistance program.
Vendors found selling alcoholic beverages and tobacco products to Quest card users would be fined from $200 to $1,000 or lifetime revocation of servicing public welfare recipients for the specific program.