Photo courtesy of DSWD.
QUEZON CITY — Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian emphasized on Tuesday, Oct. 15, that the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains committed to helping the Filipino people, with a strong focus on education and efforts to further develop the country’s economy.
In a radio interview, Secretary Gatchalian explained that while President Marcos’ efforts to provide various forms of assistance to needy Filipinos are temporary, his administration is prioritizing the enhancement important of key sectors such as education and the economy.
“Lagi sinasabi ng Pangulo, panandalian o temporary lang na lunas ang social welfare. Ang anti-poverty programs katulad ng libreng edukasyon, paglago ng ekonomiya para magkaroon ng trabaho ang mga tao – ‘yan ang bagay na long-term in nature para maihaon natin sila sa kahirapan,” Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian made the remarks in response to observations that the Philippines is becoming an “ayuda nation,” with many Filipinos increasingly reliant on government assistance.
He clarified that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sees nothing wrong with providing such as, as it is part of their mandate to serve the Filipino people.
“Bahagi lang ng trabaho ng estado na kailangan ang mga mahihirap, vulnerable, at ‘yung mga marginalized – the poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalized. ‘Yung mga taong hindi kayang protektahan ‘yung mga sarili, trabaho ‘yan ng estado,” Gatchalian said.
“Kailangan masusing pinagdaraanan kung pasok ba to sa criteria ng social welfare … ‘yan yung mga pangmatagalang programa para maiahon natin sila sa kahirapan para hindi na nila kakailanganin na lumapit ulit para sa social welfare,” he added. (DSWD)
