The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said the government's P4.1 billion special aid to poor families will be a big help in staving off the effects of rising costs of commodities and services in the country.
CHR Executive Director Jacqueline Ann de Guia said that based on the program, there would be an estimated four million beneficiaries who will received P500 per month from the Targeted Cash Transfer (TCT).
The financial aid which was approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will be released through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
De Guia said the aid is crucial given that the inflation rate has accelerated to 6.4 percent in July from 6.1 percent in June.
“What with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as strong consumer demand for oil and energy, the Philippines is now facing its highest inflation rate in three years, she said.
As duty-bearer, she said the CHR stressed that the government has the responsibility to provide adequate social and economic assistance to those in need, especially in times of economic difficulties.
"CHR hopes that this economic intervention will enable the vulnerable sectors to achieve a decent standard of living and sustain their essential needs. It is crucial for the government to ensure the transparent, efficient, and timely roll-out of the aid to truly benefit those who urgently need it," she said.
"To sustain poor families in the long term, we equally urge the government to strengthen complementary efforts to stabilize the economy and to provide gainful job and livelihood opportunities," she added.