Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 6) — The government proposes to allocate ₱206.5 billion in subsidies and cash assistance, or ayuda, for vulnerable sectors under the 2023 budget, as commodity prices rise due to global inflation, Malacañang said Sunday.
A significant portion of the budget, or some ₱165.40 billion, would go to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the implementation of various social assistance programs, while ₱22.39 billion would be allotted for the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients of the Department of Health.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) would get ₱14.9 billion for aid to displaced workers, while the Department of Transportation (DOTr) would receive ₱2.5 billion for fuel subsidies to the transportation sector.
Some ₱1 billion would be given to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to help corn farmers and fishermen with fuel costs, according to Garafil.
Other budget allocations include ₱115.6 billion for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps); ₱25.3 billion for the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC); ₱19.9 billion for the Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances (PSIFDC); and ₱4.4 billion for the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
Garafil said these cash transfers and subsidy programs aim to “support vulnerable sectors amid surging commodity prices brought about by global inflation.”
Inflation quickened to 7.7% in October, well above the 6.9% recorded in September.
Speaker Martin Romualdez also on Sunday said the House of Representatives is looking to ratify the proposed ₱5.268-trillion national budget before Congress goes on a Christmas break on Dec. 17.
