The Philippine government will release Php 206.5 billion worth of "ayuda" or cash subsidies under the proposed 2023 budget to aid the affected sectors amid the soaring commodity prices driven by inflation, Malacañang announced on Sunday, Nov. 6.
Citing information from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) officer-in-charge (OIC) Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) would receive Php 165.40 billion for its social assistance programs.
The Department of Health (DOH) will be given Php 22.39 billion for the implementation of the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially - Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP).
Apart from this, Php 1 billion is allocated for the COVID-19 compensation package for 65,293 healthcare workers and Php 19 billion for the public health emergency benefits and allowances of 526,727 healthcare workers.
While Php 22.4 billion worth of medical assistance will be provided to indigent and financially-incapacitated patients and Php 100.2 billion for the implementation of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC).
On the other hand, PHP 14.9 billion will be lodged under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will receive Php 1 billion for the provision of fuel assistance to local corn farmers and fisherfolk, while a Php 2.5 billion will also be provided to the Department of Transportation (DoTr) for fuel subsidies to support public transport drivers.
Other budget allocations in specific programs include the allocation of Php 47.4 billion for the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTE) Program.
About Php 115.6 billion for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps); Php 25.3 billion for Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC); Php 19.9 billion for Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances (PSIFDC); and Php 4.4 billion for Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recently reported that country's inflation rate soared further to 7.7 percent in October 2022.
The uptrend in the national inflation was primarily attributed to food and non-alcoholic beverages, followed by housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, and restaurants and accommodation services.
