SEN. Imee Marcos on Wednesday defended the P140-million increase in the budget of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NPAC) citing its efficient fund utilization.
She praised the agency’s accomplishments under the leadership of Secretary Lope Santos III, whom she described as her childhood friend.
The chairman of the Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development introduced the proposed 2025 budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during the Senate plenary deliberations.
Sen. Imee Marcos. PHOTO BY KAISER JAN FUENTES
The senator underscored how basic sector representation took a more prominent role in forming anti-poverty policy recommendations and governance under the leadership of Santos.
“After several years, NAPC now conducts regular sectoral council meetings, capacity building and orientation for the basic sectors, and different dialogues, including the National Sectoral Assemblies, which was held last year,” Marcos said.
In response to Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III’s inquiry regarding the increased funding for NAPC, Marcos explained that its budget was previously slashed due to underperformance.
However, the 2025 National Expenditure Plan puts NAPC’s budget at P363.4 million, reflecting a 63 percent increase or P140 million more compared to the 2024 allocation.
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