DSWD checks if more aid programs need adjusting

Following a directive from President Marcos to adjust the government’s cash grants and aid based on prevailing inflation rates, an official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said they would have to study which programs, on top of its flagship antipoverty initiative, would also need recalibration.

One of these is the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), provided to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries who no longer qualify for government assistance under the latter, according to DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Romel Lopez.

“All of the options will be considered … SLP is an exit program [of 4Ps]. Now, if it will be included, we will look into how we can do that,” he told a press briefing on Thursday.

Lopez noted that technical working groups “within and outside” the DSWD have already been formed in response to Mr. Marcos’ order to make government grants, specifically under the 4Ps, resistant to inflation or the rise in prices of basic goods and services.

Multiagency effort

Aside from the DSWD, the Philippine Statistics Authority and the National Economic and Development Authority were also tasked to develop the “best index” to strengthen the value of the cash aid.

“We’ll sit down, and we will study … and until this has been approved by stakeholders, that’s the time we can say yes or no on [whether other programs can be included],” said Lopez.

Under SLP, a one-time grant of P15,000 is given as seed money for eligible individuals who chose the “Micro-enterprise Development” track or those who want to become entrepreneurs. Those who opt to join an association would each get P20,000 for business capital.

The DSWD also provides P15,000 as a preemployment “training fund” for those who chose the “Employment Facilitation” track or those seeking help in preparation for job applications.