The Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) has renewed its cooperation with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to enhance pro-poor programs.
Undersecretary Elpidio Jordan Jr., PCUP Chief Executive Officer, recently met with PCSO Chair Junie Cua to discuss how their partnership could be strengthened to allow more urban poor to benefit from programs set to launch next year.
Jordan shared with Cua his advocacy to support the administration’s poverty alleviation program, particularly for persons with disabilities and senior citizens, and its upcoming Urban Poor Solidarity Week scheduled in Masbate and Mandaluyong in December.
Cua expressed support for both initiatives, vowing to provide medical supplies and food packs that would be distributed to accredited urban poor organizations.
Jordan said PCSO’s participation in PCUP programs will ensure the fulfillment of its mandate of serving the underprivileged.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa PCSO at kay Chairman Cua sa patuloy na pagsuporta sa aming mga programa upang magpaabot ng tulong sa ating mahihirap na kababayan (I thank the PCSO and Chairman Cua for continuing to support our programs to extend help to our poor countrymen),” he said.
“Hangad po ng pamunuan ng PCUP na mas matulungan pa ang mga maralitang tagalungsod sa pamamagitan ng pagpapabuti at pagpapatatag ng relasyon nito sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan (The leadership of the PCUP wishes to further help the urban poor by improving and strengthening its relationship with various government agencies),” he added.
The PCUP serves as the direct link of the urban poor to the government in policy formulation and program implementation while the PCSO is the principal government agency for raising and providing funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities of national character.
Results of the recent Social Weather Stations survey showed that almost half or 49 percent of Filipino (around 12.6 million) families rated themselves “poor”, slightly up from the previous 48 percent or 12.2 million families.
Twenty-nine percent rated themselves “borderline”, down from the previous 31 percent, and 21 percent “not poor”, same as previous data.
The survey was conducted from September 29 to October 2, the first under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The administration said it will continue to implement measures to revitalize the economy and help lift more Filipinos out of poverty. (PNA)
