President Marcos orders release of P43.18 billion aid for vulnerable sectors

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release over P43.18 billion in assistance for vulnerable groups, including children and senior citizens.

The funding aims to ensure the uninterrupted and prompt delivery of financial aid, food support, pensions, and livelihood assistance, according to Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Officer Claire Castro.

“Inilabas ng DBM, sa pangunguna ni Acting Secretary Rolando Toledo, ang pondo upang masiguro ang walang patid at agarang paghahatid ng tulong pinansyal, suporta sa pagkain, pensyon at mga programang pangkabuhayan,” Castro said in a Palace press briefing on Tuesday.

The funds will be distributed through key programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

More than P36.8 billion of the total assistance has been designated to the Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances (PSIFDC), which provides urgent assistance to individuals and families in crises.

Over P3.4 billion has been allocated to the Supplementary Feeding Program, which supports the nutritional needs of children attending child development centers and supervised playgroups.

More than P2 billion has been allotted for the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens to sustain the monthly stipends of elderly beneficiaries.

An additional P810 million will fund the Sustainable Livelihood Program, aimed at helping vulnerable sectors build long-term income sources.

The DBM said the fund release is part of the government’s continuing push to strengthen social protection initiatives and ensure timely delivery of aid to those in most need.

-Paraluman News