P206.5-B aid for vulnerable sectors assured under 2023 budget

• Published date: 06 November 2022
• Publication title: Philippines News agency

The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has allotted PHP206.50 billion worth of cash aid for vulnerable sectors under the 2023 proposed national budget to cushion the impact of surging commodity prices

In a press release, Malacañang on Sunday said a big chunk of the budget, PHP165.40 billion, will be allocated for the assistance programs under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The Department of Health (DOH) will get about PHP22.39 billion for the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients.

A total of PHP14.9 billion will be provided for the Department of Labor and Employment's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, a short-term emergency employment program, while PHP2.5 billion will be for the Department of Transportation's fuel subsidies.

The Department of Agriculture will receive PHP1 billion for a similar provision of fuel assistance for corn farmers and fisherfolk.

Other budget allocations in specific programs under the 2023 National Expenditure Program include PHP115.6 billion for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program; PHP25.3 billion for Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens; PHP19.9 billion for Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances; and PHP4.4 billion for Sustainable Livelihood Programs.

Meanwhile, PHP47.4 billion will be allocated to the Department of Education's Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education program...