The Marcos administration is seeking the use of P118.5 billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s social protection programs that will be implemented in 2024, the Department of Budget and Management said.
In a statement, the DBM said the proposed allocation for the DSWD’s promotive programs accounts for more than half of the department’s total budget of P209.9B.
The DBM said P112.84B of the P118.5B would be allotted to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program while P5.6B would go to the Sustainable Livelihood Program.
Under the 2024 National Expenditure Program, the DSWD will receive P209.9B, higher by 5.22 percent or P10.4B from the P199.5B allocation in the 2023 General Appropriations Act.
The DBM said about P76.2B would be used for the DSWD’s protective programs in 2024.
The DBM noted that P20B would be earmarked for the protective services for individuals and families in difficult circumstances; P49.8B for social pension for indigent senior citizens; P10.7 million for assistance to persons with disabi-lity; P23.8M for recovery and reintegration program for trafficked persons; P51.2M for services to displaced persons (deportees); and P4.1B for the supplementary feeding program.
Around P1.9B would be allocated to the Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Program, while P1.3B would be used for a separate quick response fund.
The DBM said the DSWD’s Philippine Food Strategic Transfer and Alternative Measures Program would also receive an allocation of P1.9B.
About P1.2B would be used for the agency’s Social Welfare and Development Technical Assistance and Resource Augmentation Program, while P71.8M would be tapped for the Social Welfare and Development Agencies Regulatory Program, it added.
The DBM said P900.1M would be allotted to the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan Peace and Development Fund, which is exclusive to projects in conflict-affected areas identified by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity. – PNA
