Manila: 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.
According to Philippines News Agency, the proposed measure, '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 stated that the committee-level approval reflects the government's ongoing commitment to reducing poverty through sustainable and long-term economic interventions. She emphasized that institutionalizing the program will provide a stronger legal and policy framework to support the long-term implementation of livelihood assistance initiatives across the country.
Dumlao remarked in a news release on Tuesday, "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 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 key program 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. Dumlao added, "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."
The proposed institutionalization of the program aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen poverty reduction efforts by helping Filipino families achieve economic self-sufficiency and resilience.
