GMA sets aside P12-billion subsidy for poor families

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo has set aside P12 billion in her proposed P1.541-trillion 2010 national budget as subsidy for poor families, or more than double this year’s allocation of P5 billion.

Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. has told congressmen that the fund would be for the administration’s Pantawid Gutom program being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“We are increasing the money allocated for assistance to the poor from P5 billion this year to P12 billion next year. The program is targeting one million poor families as beneficiaries,” he said.

Under Pantawid Gutom, each beneficiary receives a one-time financial subsidy of at least P500.

In the past, Mrs. Arroyo ordered the grant of P500 assistance to help poor families in Metro Manila and the province pay for their electricity bills.

This was followed by another grant of P500 to senior citizens.

Opposition congressmen have expressed fears that the Arroyo administration could use the 2010 dole-out program for political purposes.

The release of the money could be timed with the election campaign or made in the presence of administration candidates to boost their chances of winning, they said.

Worse, the funds might be released to politicians for distribution to their constituents or for use in their campaign, they said.

While detractors of the dole-out program acknowledge the need to help the poor, they said a one-time P500 subsidy is not the way to do it. –Jess Diaz (The Philippine Star)