By Ferdinand Patinio/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila on Monday lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for signing the Magna Carta of the poor.
“We congratulate and support Pres. Duterte 100 percent in his bold signing of the Magna Carta for the poor,” said Fr. Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila in a statement.
“That’s what good government in public service is all about. Taking care of the poor and marginalized,” he added.
Pascual also expressed hope that concerned government agencies would immediately implement the law.
“We hope that the agencies of government have the time and resources to implement the Magna Carta. That is always the problem…efficiency and effect of government execution,” Pascual added.
On April 12, Duterte signed Republic Act 11291 also known as the Magna Carta of the Poor that aims to help less fortunate Filipinos meet their basic needs. It allows the underprivileged full access to government services.
It also guarantees the rights of the poor to adequate food, decent work, relevant and quality education, housing, and the highest attainable standard of mental and physical health.
Covered by the new law are those whose income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority.
Also, people who cannot afford in a sustained manner to provide their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, and housing.
According to a Social Weather Stations survey in the last quarter of 2018, some 11.6 million Filipino families considered themselves poor.
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