NAVOTAS City Representative Toby Tiangco, Vice Chairman of House Committee on Appropriation expressed his full support for the approval of the ‘ayuda’ funding in the proposed 2025 budget.

“President Bongbong announced in his third SONA the expansion of DOH’s Cancer Assistance program and the proposal to allocate P1.205B for this initiative will greatly unburden Filipinos who suffer from this disease,” Rep. Tiangco said after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) allocated P253.3 billion for “ayuda” funds.

Rep. Tiangco also lauded the increase in the proposed budget allocation for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

The DBM earlier announced the 4Ps budget proposal is 7.4% higher than last year’s, with the proposed 2025 funding at P114.1 billion.

“Nakikita natin na patuloy ang pagsisikap ng administrasyong Marcos para mapalawak ang mga benepisyo at tulong na natatanggap ng mga kababayan nating nangangailangan. Para sa mga pamilyang Pilipino na ang gobyerno lang ang masasandalan, malaking bagay na nakikita nila na nabibigyan ng karampatang pondo ang mga programang makakapag-angat sa kanila sa kahirapan,” Tiangco said.

“Importante rin na maipasa ang buong pondo para sa Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens program dahil makapagbibigay ito ng ginhawa sa mga seniors natin. Dapat ding pag-aralan kung papaano pa ito mapalalawak dahil maraming mga senior ang nasa waitlist. Kailangan ding maipasa ang iba’t-ibang cash aid programs na nilalapitan ng ating mga seniors para sa kanilang mga pangangailangan,” he added.

The Navotas solon is also advocating for an increase in other assistance programs such as the Department of Agriculture’s fuel subsidy program for farmers and fisherfolk as prices for petroleum products continue to fluctuate.

“’Yong mga kapos nating mga mangingisda at magsasaka, mahalagang mabigyan ng atensyon pagdating sa mga subsidy programs dahil gusto natin na kahit may pabago-bagong kondisyon sa presyo ng gasolina, hindi ito masyadong makakaapekto sa kanilang kabuhayan,” he said.

DBM announced that it is proposing a P35.1B and P4.4B funding for DSWD’s Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances Program and Sustainable Livelihood Program, respectively.

Meanwhile, the agency’s recently launched Food Stamps Program has a proposed P1.9B allocation while the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) proposed a P14.1B budget.

“I appreciate the administration’s clear focus and commitment to expanding assistance programs that can provide both short-term relief and long-term support towards poverty alleviation. It is imperative that Congress throws its full support for these programs because they can directly benefit poor Filipinos, provide economic relief, and give them opportunities to uplift their lives and that of their families,” Tiangco said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Edd Reyes