'Ayuda' programs get funds for 2024 despite lifting of Covid-19 emergency status
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Cash assistance or "ayuda" programs of the national government will continue to get funded under the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) or proposed national budget. This, despite President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s lifting of the country’s state of public emergency in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic last month. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) had just submitted to the House of Representatives Wednesday, Aug. 2 the P5.768-trillion NEP for 2024. This paves the way for spending plan's perusal by the House Committee on Appropriations starting next week. One of the cash assistance-based programs that have been allocated funds in the latest NEP is the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps. The flagship poverty alleviation program of the government will get a budget of P112.84 billion. The Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis or AICS has been earmarked P20 billion under the 2024 NEP. The government’s fuel subsidy program has a P3.5-billion allocation in next year's NEP. Of the figure, P2.5 billion will be coursed through the Department of Transportation (DOTr), while the remaining P1 billion will be handled by the Department of Agriculture (DA). Meanwhile, P20 billion will also be set aside next year for the Covid-19 compensation package and health emergency allowance of healthcare and non-healthcare workers. As for the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, the 2024 NEP sets aside P12.9 billion for its continued implementation. The newly-launched Walang Gutom or Food Stamp Program will be allocated P1.89 billion under the 2024 proposed national budget. On top of these, next year's NEP seeks to fund the school-based feeding program with P11.7 billion, and the integrated livelihood program with P2.3 billion. The 2024 NEP amount of P5.768 trillion is the largest in the country’s history.