Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
Last week, President Ferdinand R. Marcos ordered the release of ₱12.7 billion for 2.3 million rice farmers as emergency assistance. He also launched the administrative nationwide Zero Hunger campaign in Siargao, Surigao Norte. These twin moves signify the administration’s commitment to strengthen social protection delivery to the poorest Filipino families.
Social safety nets are urgently needed in the face of continuing political and economic challenges. According to the World Bank, high inflation risk persists due to multiple factors such as “natural disasters affecting food supply, the threat of El Niño that could further constrain food production, logistics and supply chain challenges, and pressure from domestic demand.” Poor families are hard-hit as high inflation saps their meager purchasing power, making it tougher for them to afford daily necessities.
The Food Stamp Program, enabled by financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank, was also launched by the President as he distributed Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to beneficiaries identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). These cards complement the regular cash benefits provided by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). The Food Stamp Program is a subset of the Zero Hunger initiative that seeks to end hunger and malnutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
As many 4Ps beneficiaries are farmers, it is apparent that the government is adopting a fine-tuned approach to ensure that adequate support is received by those who are bearing the brunt of the harsh effects of rice smuggling and hoarding. The distribution of digital enablers – such as the EBT cards – seeks to ensure that these provide timely support to needy families.
Meanwhile, public attention is also focused on the ongoing deliberations pertaining to the proposed ₱5.7688 trillion national budget for 2024. Already passed by the House of Representatives, it will undergo floor debates leading to its enactment by the Senate. Amid these continuing processes, concerned citizens are prompted to inquire: Are our elected representatives truly working to ensure that taxpayers’ contributions are wisely spent?
Lately, public attention has been called by some Representatives and Senators to the allocation of “confidential” and “intelligence” funds that, in their view, could be used more productively to support, say, the defense of the West Philippine Sea – or for poverty alleviation and social protection.
Aside from tax revenues, borrowings are also used to finance the national budget. Citizens pay for these borrowings, too. Hence, the entire burden of financing government operations is borne by Juan de la Cruz, who expects good governance and efficient public service.
Government officials – both elected and appointed – will do well to take heed of the provision in the 1987 Constitution that states: “Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must, at all times, be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency; act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.” (Article XI, Section 1 on Accountability of Public Officers).
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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph
