MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to study ways specifically in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to respond to the impact of inflation on poor Filipinos.
In a press briefing in Malacañang, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the President made the order at the sectoral meeting held.
“Isa sa mga inatasan niyang pag-aralan namin is paano huwag mag-diminish o mabawasan ‘yung halaga ng mga financial assistance or grants na ibinibigay natin sa ating mga mahihirap na kababayan,” according to the secretary.
Gatchalian further said that the economic team is doing everything to lower inflation, but while doing so, there is still a need to protect the peso value of the grants provided by the government such as the 4Ps and other programs dedicated to providing social protection to the poorest of our countrymen.
DSWD is also contacting NEDA and PSA to find a “best index” that can be used to adjust government grants.
“‘Yan ‘yung gist ng meeting kaninang umaga (Tuesday) na masigurado na naka-price index whether it’s cost of living or price of the essential baskets. We were tasked to work with PSA and the NEDA to find the best index to use to make sure na ang tulong pinansiyal, whether the 4Ps grants or, I guess, all other social protection that we do i-make sure namin na hindi siya napag-iiwanan kung nagkaroon ng spikes like inflation,” Gatchalian added.
The secretary also said that President Marcos is expediting the said study because he wants it now under his term.
