The Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) is requesting an additional budget to enhance its poverty reduction programs aimed at improving the lives of the marginalized sector.
In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing on Thursday, PCUP chairperson Meynard Sabili said he hoped that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Congress would heed the agency’s request for a higher allocation for its programs for urban poor communities.
“Sana dagdagan niyo ang budget naming para makatulong sa kanila,” Sabili said.
As of September 2024, there are around 477 accredited urban poor organizations (UPOs) in the country, higher than the 370 organizations logged in 2024, according to the PCUP data.
Sabili attributed the increase in the number of accredited UPOs to the expansion of the PCUP’s satellite offices nationwide.
To date, the PCUP has satellite offices in Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, and Quezon provinces, Sabili said.
Sabili noted that in Lipa City, Batangas alone, over 300,000 residents from 72 villages have become UPO members following the establishment of its PCUP satellite office.
He said a new urban poor satellite office will also be inaugurated in Naga City, Camarines Sur by next week.
He added that the PCUP is planning to establish additional satellite offices in Zamboanga province, as well as in the cities of General Santos and Davao.
The PCUP is establishing satellite offices nationwide to create a comprehensive database of target communities that is essential in formulating advocacy policies and implementing projects for the urban poor.
Sabili said the PCUP would also hold talks with local government units and concerned government agencies to come up with a “better” system for the marginalized sector.
“Huwag po nilang titignan na sagabal at hinid maganda sa ating ang mahihirap. Parte po ng lipunan iyan. Ang paggawa po ng sistema niyan, ‘yung sinasabi nilang nakakasagabal, ‘yun po ay function ng local government unit. ‘Yung regulasyon ng mayor, ng governor, ‘yun po ang masusunod,” he said.
“Dapat po huwag po tayong magalit sa mga mahihirap na nakikita natin sa kalye. Wala pong kasalanan itong mga ito. Siguro po ang puwede pong gawin ng urban poor dito, ng aming mga organization, kausapin sila at dalhin sila sa mga lugar na hindi sila makaka-disturb,” Sabili added.
The PCUP, which is under the supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), serves as a direct link of the urban poor to the government in policy formulation and program implementation addressed to their needs.
The commission provides assistance to the poor, as it specifically responds to issues on urban poverty such as demolitions, reclamation, and housing.
Sabili also asked Malacañang to consider reverting the PCUP’s supervision from the DSWD to the Office of the President.
“Gusto na po naming mailipat ulit sa Office of the President,” he said, adding that there is no objection from the DSWD concerning his request.
“Sana po bago magsimula ang budget ay mailipat kami sa Office of the President,” Sabili added. (PNA)
