The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday welcomed the approval of the substitute bill seeking to institutionalize the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) by the House Committee on Social Services.
The proposed measure, an “An Act Institutionalizing the Department of Social Welfare and Development Sustainable Livelihood Program” gained strong support from both members and non-members of the House Social Services panel during its sixth regular meeting last Monday.
DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the committee-level approval reflects the government’s continuing commitment to reducing poverty through sustainable and long-term economic interventions.
She said institutionalizing of the program will provide a stronger legal and policy framework that will support the long-term implementation of livelihood assistance initiatives across the country.
“Ang pag-apruba ng House Committee on Social Services sa substitute bill ay isang malaking hakbang para sa patuloy na pagpapalakas ng SLP. Kapag naisabatas po ang panukalang ito, magkakaroon ng mas matibay na policy at legal foundation ang programa. Masisiguro nito ang pagpapatuloy ng livelihood grants, capacity-building interventions, at iba pang suporta na tumutulong sa mga benepisyaryo na magkaroon ng mas matatag na pinagkakakitaan (The approval by the House Committee on Social Services of the substitute bill is a great step towards the continuous strengthening of the SLP. Once this proposal is enacted, the program will have a stronger policy and legal foundation. It will ensure the continuity of livelihood grants, capacity-building interventions and other support that help beneficiaries to have stable sources of income),” Dumlao said in a news release Tuesday.
The House committee hearing was chaired by Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario, and was attended by Director Marife Leon of the SLP National Program Management Office along with other program key officers and personnel.
Following its approval at the committee level, the substitute bill will proceed to the Committee on Appropriations for fiscal review and evaluation. Once approved, it will be endorsed to the Committee on Rules for scheduling of plenary deliberations before undergoing sponsorship, interpellation, amendments, and voting in the House.
The DSWD spokesperson expressed optimism that the measure would continue to gain support as it advances through the legislative process.
“Inaasahan po natin ang patuloy na pag-usad ng panukalang ito para mas mapalakas pa natin ang mga programa ng gobyerno na naglalayong wakasan ang kahirapan at palawakin ang mga oportunidad para sa bawat Pilipino (We are hoping for the continuous advancement of this proposal so that we can strengthen government programs intended to end poverty and broaden opportunities for every Filipino,” Dumlao said.
The proposed institutionalization of the program is also aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen poverty reduction efforts by helping Filipino families achieve economic self-sufficiency and resilience. (PNA)