Marcos OKs budget strategy to boost jobs, livelihood programs

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. (Official Facebook page of PCO)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he approved the implementation of the Program Convergence Budgeting (PCB) to “ensure the effective execution” of livelihood and employment programs.

 “I have approved the implementation of the [PCB] for livelihood and employment initiatives to ensure their effective execution,” Marcos said in a Facebook post.

Marcos approved the PCB during a sectoral briefing on Tuesday, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

The PCO added that the PCB approach focuses on government resources on key programs and projects, which shall be coordinated in a holistic approach across departments or agencies working towards the same goals.

Marcos tasked the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to lead the inter-agency council that will govern the adoption of the PCB approach, including looking at the budget requirement for livelihood and employment of the beneficiaries, so that no duplication is made.

“What we are trying to do is to cut out the duplications,” Marcos was quoted as saying. 

“I know there is a need for this. It’s just a question of getting it right,” he added.

The PCB approach was approved per the recommendation of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM),  which was in line with the results of the rapid assessment the agency conducted on existing livelihood, employment, and feeding programs.

Aside from DOLE, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Agriculture may also be asked to lead the PCB on livelihood and employment, the DBM said. (with reports from Arianne Denise Cagsawa, INQUIRER.net intern)