Alyansa bets mull expansion of gov’t programs, less ayuda to poor

PILI, Camarines Sur— Administration senatorial candidates on Friday proposed strengthening government programs instead of distributing financial assistance to address unemployment in the Philippines. 

In a press conference before the campaign rally here, former Senator Panfilo Lacson quipped the cash assistance currently provided by the government might encourage Filipinos to depend on dole-outs instead of seeking jobs. 

“Dapat pag-aaralan natin ‘yung naging cause from 3.1 to 4.3 [percent]. Merong pinanggalingan ‘yan. Baka naman sa sobrang pamimigay ng ayuda tinamad na ‘yung ating mga kababayan, ayaw na magtrabaho. I think, personal opinion ko ito, i-revisit natin ang napakaraming porma ng ayuda,” Lacson said.

Instead of implementing different programs for “ayuda,” Lacson said the government should enhance the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) which he noted to be institutionalized by law, data-driven, and time-bound. 

This was supported by former Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto who mentioned that Generation Z is “allergic” to cash dole-outs. 

“Yung mga Gen Z na tinatawag natin—ages from 15, 16 to about 34—allergic sila ‘pag narinig nila ang ayuda. Believe me, ‘pag narinig nila ang ayuda nawawalan sila ng gana kaya dapat ang mga pulitiko iniiwasan ang pagbanggit niyan dahil masama ang naging epekto na sinasabi ni Senator Lacson,” Sotto said.

He then proposed anew for his advocacy, which he already floated during his vice presidential bid in 2022, dubbed the BRAVE (Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment) program. 

Under this program, Sotto said each province will be allocated P1 billion per year for their livelihood, agriculture, and infrastructure programs which he believes will drive economic growth and job creation. 

Senatorial bet and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar also backed Lacson’s position and pointed out the need to provide more support for micro, small, and medium enterprises, which she said, provide about 70 percent of jobs in the Philippines. 

“In addition to ayuda, we should support itong maliliit na negosyo, mga negosyante para mag-succeed sila through policies that are friendly to doing business. Dapat padaliin natin ‘yung proseso ng pag-operate ng isang negosyo,” Villar said.

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo pitched the expansion of the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), noting this is currently limited to fifth and sixth class municipalities. 

“We have to broaden, mas palakihin pa, palawakin pa ‘yung Sustainable Livelihood Program ng DSWD. Ang problema kasi sa SLP, ito ay para sa mga walang trabaho. Unfortunately, limited lang siya sa mga fifth, sixth class municipalities. Hindi siya pupwede sa Metro Manila,” the former DSWD chief said. 

He likewise mentioned the lack of job opportunities in the country which is causing job mismatch. 

Meanwhile, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay proposed to revive the DSWD’s Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) program to provide capitalization for MSMEs. 

“Yung SEA-K ito ‘yung nagbibigay ng pondo para sa mga … hindi kailangan formally organized cooperative, kunwari grupo lang ng mga kababaihan tapos mag-a-apply sila. Walang interes, ibabalik lang nila ‘yung kapital na binigay ng DSWD tapos ‘yun ang ipapaikot nila. So, I think, capitalization is also necessary para suportahan ang ating mga MSMEs,” she said. 

Former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos sought better partnership between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Public Employment Service Office, local government units and DSWD to train Filipinos with the purpose of employment. 

“Sabi nga nila, ‘If you give him a fish, you only feed him one day. But if you teach him how to fish, you’ll feed him for a lifetime.’ Ibig sabihin, tuturuan sila kung paano sila magtrabaho, paano sila magnegosyo, then dapat grumadweyt sila. Hindi pwede habambuhay tatanggap sila nang tatanggap,” Abalos said. 

Other members of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial ticket were not present during the press conference, namely, Senators Ramon Bong Revilla, Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, and Imee Marcos; and former Senator Manny Pacquiao.—LDF, GMA Integrated News

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