P3.8-T 2018 budget aims to alleviate poverty via education, healthcare

The proposed P3.767-trillion national budget for 2018 is expected to further alleviate poverty in the country by enhancing education, improving healthcare, strengthening labor and employment and boosting the Conditional Cash Transfer Program (CCT).

The remark was made by House Committee on Appropriations chairman Karlo Nograles in his sponsorship speech on Monday for House Bill 6251, otherwise known as 2018 General Appropriations Bill.

House Appropriation Committee chair Karlo Nograles delivers his sponsorship speech for the General Appropriations Bill 2018. pic.twitter.com/OYUbaO6JNl

— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) September 4, 2017

"Clearly spelled out in the Philippine Development Plan or PDP 2017-2022 are our goals of matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay para sa bawat Pilipino," Nograles said.

"Government must remain to be the ultimate financier of social services. This budget addresses the lingering twin problems of poverty and inequality," he added.

The House of Representatives on Monday began its week-long plenary deliberations for the 2018 proposed budget.

House of Representatives begins plenary deliberations for the P3.8-T national budget for 2018. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/G7yYYKYLcV

— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) September 4, 2017

The Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance, the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Tourism and the Department of Labor and Employment are the first agencies to defend their budget before the plenary.

In his speech, Nograles noted that allocation for education has been increased to P691.1 billion in 2018, up by P41.7 billion compared to last year's budget.

"P613.1 billion will go to the Department of Education alone for the much needed construction of 47,000 classrooms, repair and rehabilitation of 18,000 classrooms, procurement of 84,781 school seats, and creation of 81,100 teaching positions," he said.

The proposed 2018 budget will also expand access of students to higher education, Nograles said.

This, through additional government assistance and subsidies to students and teachers, implementation of the Unified Financial Assistance System, and providing financial assistance to college students through the Commission on Higher Education's Tulong Dunong Program worth P4.8 billion.

As for healthcare, there is also an increase in the provision for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the Department of Health, from 2017's P24.2 billion to 2018's P29 billion, Nograles said.

"[This is] for the facilities improvement of 353 hospitals, construction of 1,497 Barangay Health Stations (BHS), building of 177 new Rural Health Units (RHUs), and to complete and equip 3,320 RHUs and 28,188 BHUs," he said.

"Likewise, some P57.1 billion for the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) is intended for the health insurance benefits of 15.4 million families at P2,400 per family, 5.4 million senior citizens at P3,120 per senior citizen, 22,514 families under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program and the 22,709 Bangsamoro families," he added.

In order to alleviate poverty, Nograles said there is also a need to strengthen labor and employ through creating more opportunities and improving Filipinos' ability to earn a living.

This, he said, can be achieved through the provision of P7 billion to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for skills enhancement and retooling programs, P2.6 billion for the Training for Work Scholarship Program for in-demand skills training, and P681.5 million for the Special Training for Employment Program for specific needs of communities.

"To enhance employability of workers, the Department of Labor and Employment will receive P11.2 billion for the upgrading of skills and qualifications, job matching, the Special Program for the Employment of Students, the JobStart Philippines Program and the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program," he added.

Lastly, Nograles said the proposed 2018 budget will enhance the CCT program, with an allocation of P89.4 billion for educational grants, livelihood assistance and health services for the Transitioning Household Beneficiaries.

"P7.1 billion will also be used to strengthen the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for technical vocational skills training, and financial assistance for employment and livelihood assistance," he said.

In a statement on Sunday, Nograles said they will push for the passage of the bill on third and final reading by Friday.

He added that they expect President Rodrigo Duterte to sign the proposed budget into law by November 15, assuming that it had been passed by the congressional bicameral committee before the date. —KG, GMA News