P40 billion needed yearly for food stamp project

[Mike J]

 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/06/04/2271290/p40-billion-needed-yearly-food-stamp-project

MANILA, Philippines — Discussions are still ongoing on how to bankroll the implementation of the government’s food stamp program, which would require funding of around P40 billion, an official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said yesterday.

“We still have a discussion with the economic team on how to source. This is a real challenge because of the limited resources that we have,” DSWD Undersecretary for innovation Eduardo Punay said during the Saturday News Forum at the Dapo Restaurant and Bar.

In a separate text message, Punay said the Walang Gutom Food Stamp 2027 project needs a funding of P40 billion, covering one million families belonging to the poorest of the poor.

Punay, who is chairman of the technical working group of the project, said 300,000 families would be covered during the initial phase for P12 billion.

The second phase would cover 300,000 families, then 400,000 families for the third year, Punay added.

Citing a study from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Punay said these are families whose monthly income is less than P8,000. 

These are households who could only have one meal a day due to their limited budget.

The DSWD has secured a commitment from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a $3-million grant in technical assistance for the program’s pilot run which will start in the second half of the year.

To avoid dependency, Punay said they have set several conditions, including limiting the duration of the beneficiaries in the program to three to four years.

Beneficiaries will also have to enroll in training programs of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for them to secure jobs to sustain their livelihood and food requirements.

Given the government’s limited resources, each family will receive P3,000 in food credits every month which will be added to electronic benefit transfer cards.

Punay said the budget translates to about one meal a day every month.

He explained the government will not shoulder three meals a day for every family.

“We’re removing dependency, that’s why the government will shoulder one meal only for these families – one meal a day,” he said.

Punay said discussions are underway for the department to have a network of merchants, stores and retailers nationwide wherein the families can avail of nutritious food using their credits.

They also have initiated talks with the Department of Agriculture for the inclusion of Kadiwa stores as among the options where the beneficiaires can get food.

[HappyJack]

What could possibly go wrong.

[BrettGC]

One meal a day, if they're lucky... Meanwhile children are suffering impaired physical and mental/cognitive development; very well established effects of malnutrition, while those in power "discuss" the issue.  

[mountainside]

11 minutes ago, BrettGC said:

Meanwhile children are suffering impaired physical and mental/cognitive development; very well established effects of malnutrition

The most heartbreaking continuing tragedy in the Philippines.  And I don't see the steps necessary to remedy that tragedy being undertaken for for at least a couple generations, maybe more.

[Possum]

14 hours ago, Mike J said:

Given the government’s limited resources, each family will receive P3,000 in food credits every month which will be added to electronic benefit transfer cards.

 Limited resources??? Maharlika fund

[Kingpin]

21 hours ago, HappyJack said:

What could possibly go wrong.

Since you asked...

Quote

 

Beneficiaries of the government aid program Pantawid Pamilya in Central Visayas have been caught this year pawning their cash cards

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1963126/cebu/local-news/35-pantawid-pamilya-beneficiaries-in-cv-caught-pawning-their-cash-cards-for-loans

 

 

[JJReyes]

Perpetual dependence.  Once you are given something free by the government, and they plan on doing it every single month, you are hooked.  Politicians believe this is one way to guarantee the poor will vote for you and continue to vote.  Besides, it isn't their personal money that's being given.  

[Kingpin]

3 hours ago, JJReyes said:

Politicians believe this is one way to guarantee the poor will vote for you and continue to vote. 

True, that's one thing in a nation filled with poor like the Philippines, but in Western nations filled with middle class, Democrat politicians need to keep borders open to import more poor to bribe for votes. And that's a recipe for national destruction.

[Snowy79]

I'm sure certain Mayors won't issue rice, eggs and veg from their own personal businesses at vastly inflated prices instead of giving financial aid and just say the money was spent buying groceries.  

[OnMyWay]

They will issue a few thousand cards and then discover they are "out of stock".  Like driver's licenses, license plates, etc.