Although the government’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) program is one of the flagship programs of the administration, the government is also focusing on other programs to improve the lives of the people and lift them out of poverty, a Palace official said on Saturday.
The CCT program is widely reported because of its huge budget and for obvious reasons because the government has been increasing the coverage and beneficiaries of the program, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview on Saturday.
The program started with more than 100,000 beneficiaries, and now millions of families are covered by the CCT program, Valte said over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
“It is one of the landmark programs, or at least, the flagship program of government, naturally, ang attention nakatuon diyan,” she said.
Despite the popularity of the CCT, it doesn’t mean the government will not concentrate on implementing other programs to help the people.
Among the government thrust is carrying out programs through the Technical Education Skills Development Authority, and extending livelihood assistance through the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
There are also facilities available for returning OFWs through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and DOLE, Valte said.
The Aquino administration has also increased the annual budget for education to prepare young people before they enter the labor market, Valte added.
In the 2015 General Appropriations Act, the biggest chunk of the budget goes to social services—to the DSWD, Department of Health, and to the Department of Education, Valte noted.
“This shows that the administration puts public money in programs that are targeted really to help alleviate, hindi lang ‘yung fifth quintile or ang poorest of the poor, pero pati din ang mga maitutulak na makalagpas doon sa poverty line natin,” she said. PND (as) |