DSWD: Marcos says amount of gov't aid should 'not diminish'

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. tasked the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure that cash assistance given to beneficiaries will "not diminish" amid higher inflation.

This was disclosed by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian at a Palace press briefing on Tuesday. 

''Isa sa mga inatasan niyang pag-aralan namin is paano huwag mag-diminish or mabawasan iyong halaga ng mga financial assistance or grants na ibinibigay natin sa ating mahihirap na kababayan,'' Gatchalian said. 

(One of the things that he asked us to do is study and ensure that the amount of financial assistance or grants for the poor sector will not diminish.) 

''Alam naman natin na ginagawa ng economic team lahat para mapababa ang inflation pero habang ginagawa iyon, kailangan kaakibat iyong pagprotekta sa value ng… peso value ng mga grants na ibinibigay natin katulad sa 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) at sa iba pang mga programa na nakatuon sa pagbigay ng social protection sa pinakamahihirap nating mga kababayan,'' he added. 

(We all know that the economic team is doing everything to decrease inflation, but in line with that, the peso value of the grants, such as what we are giving the 4Ps, should also not diminish.) 

Gatchalian also said the DSWD is tasked by the President to work with the Philippine Statistics Authority and the National Economic Development Authority to find the best index to ensure that the grants and social protection of the agency are adjusted to the inflation rate. 

Meanwhile, the President's directive is in line with the administration's 8-point socioeconomic agenda particularly the medium-term fiscal framework to improve healthcare, social services, and education in the country.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, one of the ideas being studied is the inclusion of the first one thousand days of a child’s life into the national anti-poverty program as the first one thousand days from conception to two years old are vital in addressing stunting and malnutrition. —VAL, GMA  Integrated  News