1 month ago
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Janvic Mateo - The Philippine Star
February 11, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — For most Filipinos, financial aid programs and other social welfare initiatives of the government are helping underprivileged sectors, recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia surveys showed.
The surveys, commissioned by the Stratbase Group, gauged public opinion on various government social welfare programs, including the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) and Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
Criticisms of the aid programs are focused on politicians distributing the ayuda and taking personal credit in aid of their election campaigns.
Billions in AKAP funds were also inserted by Congress at the last minute in the 2025 national budget although AKAP was not in the spending program of the executive, while P50 billion was cut from the 4Ps budget.
The SWS Jan. 17 to 20 poll showed that respondents aware of the programs generally view them positively.
Ninety percent of those aware of the 4Ps view it as either “very helpful” or “somewhat helpful.”
Only nine percent said it was either “somewhat not helpful” or “not helpful at all.”
Eighty-eight percent of respondents said TUPAD, which provides temporary employment to marginalized workers, is either “very helpful” or “somewhat helpful” to underprivileged Filipinos.
Only 12 percent view it negatively.
AKAP, which provides financial aid to marginalized Filipinos, was viewed positively by 81 percent of those who are aware of the program.
Nineteen percent said it was either “somewhat not helpful” or “not helpful at all.”
At least 70 percent of respondents were familiar with the three programs, the survey showed.
Filipinos, however, are less familiar with two other social welfare programs of the government: the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and Walang Gutom Program (WGP), formerly the Food Stamp Program.
Only 34 percent said they were aware of AICS, while 32 percent said they were aware of WGP.
Among those aware of these programs, 80 percent said they see AICS as either “very helpful” or “somewhat helpful,” while 81 percent said they see WGP as either “very helpful” or “somewhat helpful.
Pulse Asia’s Jan. 18 to 25 poll found positive public opinion on 4PS, TUPAD and AKAP.
Eighty-two percent of respondents said the 4Ps improved the financial stability of Filipinos belonging to lower socioeconomic classes, while nine percent said it worsened their situation.
For TUPAD, 82 percent said it is beneficial to the overall well-being of Filipino beneficiaries, while eight percent said it is not beneficial.
For AKAP, 80 percent said it is helpful in the financial stability of beneficiaries, while 10 percent said it is not helpful.
Transparency needed
Several sectors have raised concerns over budget increases for cash aid programs such as AKAP and AICS, especially with the upcoming elections.
But with the rising prices of basic goods, Stratbase Group president Dindo Manhit stressed the importance of social welfare programs to help poor Filipinos.
“Social welfare programs have become an essential lifeline for struggling families. These programs serve as a safety net for Filipino families, which helps them meet their basic needs,” Manhit said.
“When Filipino families have money to spend, they contribute to local businesses, creating opportunities not just for social, but also economic, progress in the country,” he said.
But Manhit underscored the importance of ensuring transparency to guarantee that public funds are used efficiently.
“To ensure the continuous and effective delivery of social government programs, there is a need to also continuously uphold transparency in their implementation, particularly in the list of recipients. There is a need to ensure that public funds serve their intended purpose – to uplift the lives of the poor – and not the personal interest of some. When taxpayers’ money is spent properly, the Filipino people benefit through better services and economic progress,” Manhit said.
