Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said Nov. 4 that the government can get more Filipinos out of poverty by creating additional income and job opportunities for them.
In remarks marking the resumption of Congress’ session, the House leader also thanked his colleagues for giving priority to disaster response over rest during their recess in the wake of recent typhoon Kristine.
The leader of the 300-plus-strong House said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration should be commended “for their approach to reducing poverty and addressing food insecurity, leading to a notable reduction in self-rated hunger.”
“The government’s reforms and programs are now yielding positive results,” he said in a press release from his office.
He noted that the Aug. 28 to Sept. 2 Tugon Ng Masa survey published by OCTA Research showed that self-rated poverty dropped by five percentage points, with an estimated 1.4 million Filipino families now considering themselves “not poor”.
“Sustaining our economic recovery requires collaboration between the private sector, government, and academia. We must ensure that the Marcos administration’s vision of a more equitable and prosperous Philippines becomes a reality. Through consistent efforts, we can further reduce poverty and provide more opportunities for our people to thrive,” Romualdez said.
He commended Marcos for declaring Nov. 4 as Day of National Mourning to honor the more than 100 lives lost in the wake of severe tropical storm Kristine.
“We mourn with their families, loved ones, and communities who bear the weight of this tragic loss. As we share in this moment of profound grief, let us find strength in our unity and offer comfort and support to those who have lost so much. May our heartfelt prayers and unwavering solidarity serve as a source of hope and healing in this time of immense sorrow,” he added.
He said that aside from allocating funds to make flood-prone communities minimize flooding, the House introduced changes in the proposed 2025 national budget.
These include earmarking P293.23 billion to enhance social services, strengthen social safety nets, and ensure food security.
The amount is in addition to the P591.8 billion allocated by the Department of Budget and Management for cash assistance to indigent families.
The allocations will support programs, such as Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations, the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program, the Sustainable Livelihood Program, Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, the Government Internship Program, Tertiary Education Subsidy, and Tulong Dunong programs, among others, Romualdez added. ||
