Metro Manila, Philippines – Government assistance, locally called ayuda, is an investment on human capital, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian said on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
During a House budget hearing on the proposed 2025 outlay of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Paul Daza asked for Gatchalian’s take on those opposing dole-outs.
“I would rather look at certain programs of the department as investments (on) human capital rather than plain and simple define it as ayuda,” Gatchalian said.
The secretary set the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps as an example.
“When we look at it [4Ps], it’s conditional. It’s an investment for the long-term,” said Gatchalian.
“Our department is precisely called ‘social welfare,’ that’s our first name. But we also have a last name called ‘development,’ and it is inherent in every state to make sure that you protect the vulnerable, the marginalized, and the poor,” he said.
Based on the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, almost three million Filipinos lack enough income to support basic needs.
The poverty threshold for a family of five is P13,873 per month.
