About P8 billion was cut from the funds of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for next year.
Because of this, the DSWD is seeking additional funds, to finance the additional pension of poor senior citizens, aid for 662 centenarians, and growing costs for the supplemental feeding program.
In total, the budget of the DSWD in 2023 is 196,775,408 ,P8 billion less than the P204,758,666 of 2022.
DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo clarified in the budget briefing in the House the actual number of beneficiaries who have been removed from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, was not more than 200,000.
He told the house appreciation committee, they are still comparing the 1.3 million who were first reported to be possibly removed from the 4Ps with another list to make sure that those who will be removed will not really needed the aid.
Also included in the list being looked at is from the group of beneficiaries.
"187,613 have been delisted from the 4Ps, as of September 5, 2022, not yet 1.3 million, we are still validating, we include the association of 4ps beneficiaries, out of the 1.3M, the under list is around 30 percent to 40 percent, and should not be removed from the DSWD list," according to Tulfo.
And if incase someone is removed from the 4Ps, they will be replaced them by other poor people who really need help.
Those who will be removed on the other hand, can still receive other aid such as the sustainable livelihood program or Assistance to Individuals Crisis Situations.
"Last year, it was P39 billion, now it has been reduced by P20 billion, so it is only P19 billion, so maybe with the help of the committee we can ask for help to increase that, especially since educational assistance was also given," Tulfo said.
