ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo is eyeing legislation that would expand government support for unemployed Filipinos and those who lack income.

Tulfo, the deputy majority leader for communications, said he would make a proposal upon the reopening of 19th Congress in June.

“The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has an existing livelihood aid program where it gives P15,000 capital to every family, from a poor community, without stable source of income to mount their own business," the senatorial aspirant noted.

He was referring to DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program or SLP, a capacity building program, given to the identified poor, vulnerable, and marginalized households and communities. 

“I will file a bill pushing for a more inclusive SLP where all Filipinos, not only those in poor households, but also those qualified individuals who are jobless or those who lack income will be given livelihood aid,” said Tulfo, who once served as DSWD chief. 

He reckoned that the beneficiaries of the expanded livelihood aid "should undergo sufficient training for the ins and outs of business management so the capital given by the government would be spent to genuinely improve their lives".

SLP is part of the poverty alleviation program of DSWD headed by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, pursuant to the poverty alleviation goal of the administration of President Marcos. 

“The target of SLP are those individuals living in poor households and those families who graduated from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)," Tulfo said.

Tulfo is part of the administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas Senate slate for the May 12 elections.