PHL to adopt social welfare programs for 'near-poor'

The Philippine government is looking at implementing social protection programs that target families near the poverty line.

 

"We believe the 'near poor' category should be strengthened in their resilience to withstand shocks as well as keep them above the poverty line," Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman told reporters on Wednesday.

 

Among the Philippines social welfare programs in place are the Aquino administration's flagship poverty alleviation project Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or conditional cash transfer program that facilities money transfers to the poorest of the poor. 

 

"It is not just the amounts of conditional cash transfers we are looking at in terms of cash assistance, but we are looking at other programs that address the near poor," Soliman said.

 

The government is still determining specific social protection programs for the population's near poor segment that comprises 10 percent of families living just above the poverty threshold.  

 

"We are actually just developing the program. But obviously the major vulnerability of any family, whatever class you belong to, is the issue of education, health, job security and housing," Soliman said.

 

Almost 26 percent of Filipinos were  considered poor in the first semester of 2014, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. An individual belonging to this segment lives on less than P10,534 a year. 

 

The latest survey conducted under the National Household Targeting System will group families into three categories – non-poor, poor and near-poor – with the government to release the survey results early next month. 

 

"Right now, the non-poor do not get any support by way of conditional cash transfer... except for those who are formally employed under the social insurance of the Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System," noted Soliman. – VS, GMA News