Marcos tells DSWD to continue giving cash grants to poor Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday gave orders for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to keep running its programs to reduce poverty and hunger.

He issued the directive during the 72nd founding anniversary of the DSWD, highlighting the agency’s contribution to helping poor Filipinos.

“Continue calibrating the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and strengthening the government’s social protection initiatives, especially since one of the measure[s] that we undertake to address poverty is through the grants that we provide for the health needs of every household and education of our children,” Marcos said.

“I call upon the department to continue to implement the unconditional cash transfer program to provide cash grants to poor households and individuals who do not benefit from the lower income tax rates but are adversely affected by rising prices,” he added.

He also called on the department to enhance its social pension program for indigent senior citizens.

The President touted how the DSWD was the “lifeline” for Filipinos, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing their sacrifices in service of the public, especially the “vulnerable and disadvantaged.”

He said the DSWD and other government agencies to ensure that their respective services “reach those in need wherever they may be,” stressing that people should not need to travel to urban areas to access government services.

“The work that you do is crucial and I am sure that with your dedication and hard work, we will continue to make the progress in uplifting the lives of our fellow Filipinos,” Marcos said.

JMS/abc