MANILA, Philippines – Caritas Manila, the social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila, welcomed on Monday the signing of Magna Carta of the Poor.
Rev. Fr. Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila, said that the law would help address the problem on poverty and hunger in the country.
“That’s what good government is all about, taking care of the poor and marginalized,” Fr. Pascual said in a statement.
Pascual said Caritas Manila hopes that the government would allot time and resources in enacting the said law.
“That is always the problem… efficiency and effect of government execution,” he said.
President Rodrigo Duterte on April 12 signed Republic Act 11291 or Magna Carta for the poor.
A copy of the signed document, however, was released by Malacanang only on Monday.
Under the new law, the government is mandated to prioritize programs for the poor that are concerned with the provision of food, shelter, livelihood, education and healthcare.
The beneficiaries include individuals whose income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority, and those who cannot afford in a sustained manner to provide their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, housing or other essential amenities of life. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)