The Duterte administration has allotted a significant budget for the Department of Social Welfare and Development for 2020 to sustain its poverty reduction programs.
At the budget hearing of the agency at the House of Representatives, Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong said the P195-billion allocation for the DSWD under the proposed P4.1-trillion national government budget for next year “is truly a testament to the administration's strengthened commitment to empower and uplift the living condition of the poor, the vulnerable and the disadvantaged.”
Limkaichong, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, said the next year's budgetary allocation for the DSWD is 12.16 percent or P17.186 billion higher than its 2019 budget.
Given this, Limkaichong said the DSWD is the fourth government agency with the highest budgetary allocation in the National Expenditure Program for 2020.
DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Delizo Bautista said the 2020 DSWS budget is intended to free all Filipinos from hunger and poverty, and let them have equal access to opportunities, enabled by a fair, just, and peaceful society.
“Our mission is to lead the formulation, implementation, and coordination of social welfare and development policies and programs for and with the poor, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged,” said Bautista.
Bautista said the vision, mission and core values of the DSWD are aligned with the Duterte administration’s “Ambisyon Natin 2040” Program where by 2040 Filipinos shall enjoy a strongly rooted comfortable and secure life.
In line with this, the former Commander of the Philippine Army and leader of the Joint Task Force Marawi, said the long term vision of the DSWD is to make its contribution in accelerating human capital development and in reducing vulnerabilities of individuals and families.
He said the DSWD 2020 proposed budget has been formulated on a cash-based appropriation regime, a fiscal reform of the government aimed at accelerating government spending and promoting a disciplined management of budget.
Bautista said the Pantawid Pamilya Program, a human investment program for children through health and education provides grants to poor families with children zero to 18 years old and pregnant mothers.
Meanwhile, indigent senior citizens aged 60 and above are provided with a monthly stipend of P500 to augment their daily subsistence and other medical needs, he said.
He also cited the DSWD's supplementary feeding program and provision of food in addition to regular meals to currently enrolled children in Child Development Center and Supervised Neighborhood Play as part of the DSWD’s contribution to the Early Childhood Care and Development program of the government.
He said the DSWD also provides emergency services during or immediately after occurrence of disaster; relief assistance, cash/food-for-work, and emergency shelter assistance.
Bautista also assured the committee that the DSWD stands strong with its commitment “to provide programs and service with compassion for the marginalized, disadvantaged and vulnerable Filipinos.”