THE Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) capacity-building program needs an additional P1 billion under its 2027 proposed budget, after amendments in the House of Representatives reduced allocations to P5.1 billion.
During a budget hearing on Wednesday, DSWD Secretary Rexlon T. Gatchalian said additional funding for the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) was removed. “From the original of P6 billion, it became only P5 billion,” he said.
The SLP teaches impoverished Filipinos how to generate income through technical-vocational and life skills training.
Mr. Gatchalian said the SLP is where the department places most graduates of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). “We place them there (in the program) so they don’t return to poverty,” he added.
Senator Erwin T. Tulfo said a limited SLP budget makes the department’s welfare efforts difficult since its regional offices also need funding. — Francessca S. Abalos