MANILA – The Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) is pushing for a larger budget to bolster its initiatives aimed at uplifting the urban poor. During a recent Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, PCUP Chairperson Meynard Sabili expressed his hope that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Congress would approve the increased funding needed for their community programs.
Sabili emphasized the importance of additional funds, stating, “We hope our budget will be increased so we can help them more effectively.” As of September 2024, the number of accredited urban poor organizations (UPOs) has risen to 477, up from 370 earlier in the year, a growth attributed to the expansion of PCUP’s satellite offices across the country.
Currently, PCUP operates satellite offices in Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, and Quezon. Sabili highlighted the impact of these offices, noting that in Lipa City, Batangas, over 300,000 residents from 72 villages have joined UPOs since the establishment of a local PCUP office. Plans are underway to open a new satellite office in Naga City, Camarines Sur next week, with further expansions planned for Zamboanga province, and the cities of General Santos and Davao.
The establishment of these satellite offices is crucial for creating a detailed database of target communities, which is essential for developing advocacy policies and executing projects for the urban poor. Sabili also mentioned ongoing discussions with local government units and other agencies to improve systems for the marginalized.
He stressed the need for a more compassionate view of the poor, saying, “We should not see the poor as a burden or a negative element in our society. They are an integral part of our community. The system they refer to as a hindrance is the responsibility of local government units, governed by the regulations set by mayors and governors.”
Sabili further urged understanding and support for the urban poor, suggesting that UPOs could engage with them and guide them to areas where they would not cause disturbances. The PCUP, which falls under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), acts as a vital link between the urban poor and the government, addressing their needs through policy formulation and program implementation.
The commission also tackles specific urban poverty issues such as demolitions, reclamation, and housing. Sabili has requested that the PCUP be moved back under the supervision of the Office of the President, a move he hopes will be considered before budget deliberations begin.