The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) is coordinating with the local government units (LGUs) to enable the Marcos administration identify the priority programs that will be helpful in alleviating poverty in the country.

During the Laging Handa program on Tuesday, NAPC lead convenor Lope Santos III said the collaboration with the LGUs is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to put a premium on the most disadvantaged individuals and communities.

“Tayo ay nakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga local government units at nang sa gayon ay matukoy ‘yung mga focused anti-poverty program at mabigyan ng priority (We are coordinating with the local government units to identify focused anti-poverty programs and prioritize them),” Santos said.

Santos also encouraged the LGUs nationwide to craft their own Local Poverty Reduction Action Plans.

He made the call, as he noted that the NAPC, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, will release the guidelines for the formulation and implementation of the Local Poverty Reduction Action Plan.

“In due time, ilalabas po natin ang (we will release the guidelines),” Santos said.

Marcos on June 30 convened the first NAPC en banc meeting at Malacañan Palace in Manila and ordered the commission to make sure that the national anti-poverty programs are synchronized with the LGUs’ initiatives.

During the en banc meeting, Santos noted that the NAPC is eyeing the rollout of the Local Poverty Reduction Action Plan in 2024, which will be mainstreamed in all provincial development and fiscal framework plans and comprehensive development plans of LGUs.

Santos added that the NAPC is targeting the completion of the National Anti-Poverty Action Agenda and the National Poverty Reduction Plan by September and October this year, respectively.

The Marcos administration is eyeing to reduce the poverty rate to 9 percent by 2028.

The NAPC is also expected to release a final copy of the revised implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 11921 or the Magna Carta of the Poor.

RA 11291, which was signed into law on April 12, 2019, guarantees the rights of the poor to adequate food, decent work, relevant and quality education, adequate housing and the highest attainable standard of health.

Under Magna Carta of the Poor, the government is mandated to establish a system of progressive realization or implementation to provide the requirements, conditions and opportunities for the full enjoyment or realization of the five fundamental rights of the poor which are essential requirements towards poverty alleviation. (PNA)