‘Ayuda’ allocation in 2025 budget earmarked at P253B, says DBM
At A Glance
- The proposed P6.352-trillion national budget for fiscal year 2025 includes the P253.4-billion allocation for the government’s various assistance programs aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos in need.
(Left) House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman (Dexter Barro II/MANILA BULLETIN)
The proposed P6.352-trillion national budget for fiscal year 2025 includes the P253.4-billion allocation for the government’s various assistance programs aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos in need.
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman had this to say on Monday, July 29, after the agency turned over the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) to the House of Representatives.
According to Pangandaman, the bulk of the allocation for assistance programs will be directed to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), particularly through its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Described as a cornerstone in DSWD’s social protection strategy, the 4Ps has been allotted P114.2 billion——a 7.4 percent increase from it's P106.3-billion allocation in the 2024 national budget.
Approximately 4.4 million people is expected to benefit from the program through its provision of health grants, educational allowances, and rice subsidies.
Following a directive from President Marcos, 4Ps will now also cover pregnant and lactating women to ensure the health of children in their first 1,000 days.
The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), which is intended for transitioning households under 4Ps that have been upgraded to “non-poor”, will get P4.4 billion under the proposed 2025 national budget.
DSWD will also receive a budget of P49.8 billion for the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens. Through this program, more than four million indigent seniors will accept a monthly allowance of P1,000 to supplement their daily living and medical expenses.
P35.2 billion is earmarked for the department’s Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances, which will be utilized for the provision of financial assistance and other services for over six million individuals and families.
In addition, the DSWD will be allocated P1.9 billion for its food stamp program to provide cash aid through electronic benefit transfer cards to 50,000 households in the lowest income bracket.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) will be granted P26.9 billion for its Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients program.
Pangandaman pointed out that this would respond to the needs of over one million patients nationwide.
The DBM secretary noted that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will be allocated P14.1 billion for its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program.
The TUPAD program, which seeks to offer a safety net during economic uncertainty, will provide temporary employment to more than one million indigent individuals.