Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles reiterated his strong personal commitment to “uplifting and improving the lives of our less-privileged citizens” during the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Magna Carta for the Poor last Tuesday, August 21, 2021.
In his message, Nograles, who also chairs the government’s Task Force on Zero Hunger, noted that aside from setting the standards for identifying poverty levels, it was more important to offer concrete solutions so that people can be disentangled from poverty’s vicious cycle.”
The former Davao legislator said that that the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Magna Carta for the Poor are a big step towards protecting and ensuring the interest of the economically disadvantage.
The Malacañang official was joined during the signing ceremony by NAPC Secretary and Lead Convenor Noel Felongco, NAPC Vice-Chairperson for the Basic Sector Ka Uper Aleroza, DSWD Secretary and HDPRC Chairperson Rolly Bautista, Sectoral Representative Joy Garcia, the Sectoral Representatives Council and council members, as well as officials, representatives and staff of various NAPC member agencies and local government leagues.
Republic Act No. 11291 was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last April 12, 2019 and is a key component of the government’s overall program to comprehensively address poverty. Among its key goals are to provide easy access to government programs and encourage the private sector to invest in poverty alleviation initiatives.
Nograles assured that the Magna Carta IRR lists all government programs that will directly benefit both urban poor areas as well as locations in the countryside.
“Under the law, the appropriate agencies are directed to ensure that Filipinos are provided basic needs such as food, nutrition, employment, education and housing. The Magna Carta for the Poor treats everyone, especially the less-privileged, as equal partners in nation-building.”
“Being at the frontline of government services, LGUs are at a strategic vantage point to addresses the needs of their constituents.”
The Cabinet Secretary further emphasized that LGUs are integral components of national development, as shown by Executive Order No. 138 which mandates full devolution of basic services and facilities from the national government to local government units.
“LGUs need to be strengthened further so they can develop the capacity to implement pro-poor policies. Being at the frontline of government services, LGUs are at a strategic vantage point to addresses the needs of their constituents,” Nograles noted.
The former Davao legislator said that that the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Magna Carta for the Poor are a big step towards protecting and ensuring the interest of the economically disadvantaged, stressing that “we will actively use the law as a tool for change and transformation.”
