A party-list lawmaker on Wednesday said the new minimum qualification to be classified as indigent should be either the minimum wage rates or the nontaxable income rate.
In a statement, Senior Citizen Party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes said the current poverty limit, or the eligibility of indigent people, for availing of government charity social services is "too low".
Ordanes appealed to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Health to raise the qualification ceilings to cover more people seeking free government services or assistance.
"With prices of most goods and services being so high now, the purchasing power of minimum wage earners is severely eroded. They do not have disposable income left for daily cost of sending their kids to school, for going to and coming from work every day, and for the needs of household members who are sick, senior, PWD (person with disability), or with special needs," he said.
He noted that most poverty standards and qualifications can be revised upward administratively, adding that there is no need for new laws.
Ordanes said more inclusive indigency standards and qualifications can be implemented faster because only administrative changes are needed.
Source: Philippines News Agency
