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HOME  ❯  SONA 2023 PROMISE TRACKER  ❯  Social Services

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has so far fulfilled only two of his 24 promises in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2022 and 2023 to improve the delivery of social services in the country, although it has been declared as a priority under his administration.

Four of the bills he had asked Congress to approve to better equip the country for a health crisis like COVID-19 have remained in the legislative mill. These are measures creating a Philippine Center for Disease Control, Virology Institute of the Philippines, Medical Reserve Corps and a Magna Carta for Barangay Healthcare Workers — all of which have been stalled in the Senate.

A year after the COVID-19 public health emergency was lifted, these four bills had been dropped from the list of priority legislations for the 19th Congress.

Still, the administration had some gains, particularly in its plan to build specialty hospitals similar to the Philippine Heart Center and Lung Center of the Philippines, outside of Metro Manila. In January, Marcos said 131 medical specialty centers have been established nationwide through the Regional Specialty Centers Act signed in 2023. He vowed to set up 179 more specialty centers, seven of which are set to specialize in lung care, in the next four years.

The president has directed the Department of Budget Management (DBM) to settle all the unpaid allowances of medical workers and staff who served during the pandemic. The DBM released P27.45 billion last July 5 to cover the remaining emergency allowance and death compensation benefits of over five million healthcare and non-healthcare workers.

In the face of climate change, Marcos continues to improve relief programs for Filipinos heavily affected by disasters. The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), tasked to implement the emergency shelter assistance program starting this year while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which previously handled the program, was ordered to enhance its logistics capacity for timely distribution of relief goods.

Marcos instructed the DSWD to expand its amelioration programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) — which has recently been the subject of a Senate inquiry over allegations that AICS cash assistance was used to solicit signatures for the botched people’s initiative for Charter change.

In time for Marcos’ third address before a joint session of Congress on July 22, VERA Files looked at how he fared in the 24 promises he made in his 2022 and 2023 State of the Nation Addresses:

Promises

Check The Sources

 

Presidential Communications Office, 2nd State of the Nation Address of His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. President of the Philippines to the Congress of the Philippines, July 24, 2023

Presidential Communications Office, Congress vows to pass top LEDAC-proposed priority bills, June 25, 2024

Presidential Communications Office, PBBM eyes to establish 179 specialty centers before end of his term, Jan. 23, 2024

Department of Budget and Management, PBBM’s promise fulfilled DBM to release P27 Billion for payment of remaining Health Emergency Allowance claims, July 4, 2024

Presidential Communications Office, PBBM orders 4Ps expansion to cover pregnant, lactating women to ensure children’s health, well-being in first 1000 days, June 11, 2024

Philippine News Agency, DSWD partners with 903 service providers to boost AICS services, May 7, 2024

Senate of the Philippines, Senator Imee R. Marcos Statement Re: Senate Hearing in Davao about the People’s Initiative, Feb. 6, 2024

On vaccinating children against measles, rubella and polio

Official Gazette, Memorandum Circular No. 20, May 9, 2023

Philippine News Agency, Measles, rubella cases up by 335% – DOH, December 22, 2023

People’s Television Network official YouTube channel, Panayam kay DOH Spokesperson, Usec. Eric Tayag, March 25, 2024

People’s Television Network, Pertussis and measles data, additional vaccine doses incoming – DOH, March 26, 2024

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Philippines, UNICEF urges intensified catch-up vaccination efforts to eradicate polio, October 24, 2023

Philippine Star, ‘Chikiting Ligtas’ immunizes over 10 million kids, June 17, 2023

Department of Health Eastern Visayas Center For Health Development, Public Health Advisory No. 2024-006, March 1, 2024

On ensuring ample testing sites and medications for early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS

Department of Health official YouTube channel, DOH Media Forum, March 14, 2024

Philippine News Agency, New TB mobile clinic to boost detection, case finding in Bicol, April 16, 2024

Department of Health Center for Health Development I, PBSP donates Konsultayo van to DOH-Ilocos For TB Program, December 5, 2023

Department of Health Central Visayas Center For Health Development, DOH Central Visayas CHD, PBSP-Access TB intensify efforts for TB free Central Visayas, March 10, 2024

Philippine News Agency, 3 more HIV treatment hubs to open in Cordillera this year, September 12, 2023

Philippine News Agency, 2 new HIV treatment hubs to open in Zambo City, May 20, 2023

Manila Bulletin, DOH reports 3,400 HIV cases, 82 deaths in Q1 2024, May 17, 2024

Inquirer, HIV cases among Filipinos continue to rise, says DOH, May 17, 2024

Department of Health Epidemiology Bureau, HIV & AIDS surveillance of the Philippines, October to December 2023

On ensuring direct, efficient delivery of health services through PhilHealth

PhilHealth, PhiiHealth ‘ implements its new premium contribution schedule

for direct contributors per PhiiHealth Circular No. 2019-0009, December 7, 2019

PhilHealth, PhilHealth Circular 2024-0014, July 1, 2024

PhilHealth, PhilHealth Circular 2024-0007, March 30, 2024

PhilHealth, Members to expect higher benefits from PhilHealth, December 11, 2023

On assigning doctors in 19 more municipalities

Presidential Communications Office, PBBM: Gov’t puts up 131 medical specialty centers nationwide as of December 2023; allots P11.12 billion for this year, January 15, 2024

On expanding the housing program

PTV Philippines YouTube channel, PTV Pre-SONA Special with RJ Nieto | July 8, 2024, July 8, 2024

Senate of the Philippines official YouTube Channel, Committee on Finance [Subcommittee “H”], September 25, 2023

House of Representatives of the Philippines, House Bills and Resolutions: Institutionalizing Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino, accessed July 3, 2024

Senate of the Philippines, Bills 19th Congress: Institutionalizing Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino, accessed July 3, 2024

On upgrading evacuation centers

Office of Civil Defense, SND Teodoro calls on gov’t to strengthen DRRM cooperation, tackles evac centers and policies at 3Q full council meeting, September 28, 2023.

Senate of the Philippines, Senate Bill No. 2451, An Act Establishing Evacuation Centers For Every City and Municipality, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, September 26, 2023

House of Representatives, House Bill No. 7534, An Act Establishing Evacuation Centers For Every City and Municipality, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, June 30, 2022

House of Representatives Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department, Estimating the cost of establishing an evacuation center in every city and municipality, November 4, 2023

On providing financial aid to Marawi siege victims

Marawi Compensation Board, The Marawi Compensation Board’s Milestones in 2023, January 3, 2024

Marawi Compensation Board, 70 Days To Go Before Filing of Claims Ends, April 25, 2024

Marawi Compensation Board, MCB Continues Disbursement, Awards P46,910,976.69 Million in Latest Round, June 7, 2024

Philippine Information Agency, Marawi siege victims can now file claims via e-filing system, June 27, 2024

On providing adequate funds for centers for vulnerable persons

Department of Social Welfare and Development, DSWD supports govt’s intensified efforts vs child sexual abuse, exploitation, April 26, 2024

Department of Budget and Management, General Appropriations Act, FY 2023, accessed July 7, 2024

Department of Social Welfare and Development, DSWD Academy launches gender- responsive case management course, June 5, 2024

On protecting the creative industry

Department of Trade and Industry, DTI engages public and private sector leaders in refining the Philippine Creative Industries Development Plan, April 22, 2024

Department of Budget and Management, General Appropriations Act, FY 2024, accessed July 7, 2024

Philippine Creative Industries Development Council (PCIDC) Secretariat, personal communication (email), July 1, 2024

On providing quick disaster response

Department of Social Welfare and Development, DSWD chief orders full preps of food packs in regions affected by TD Aghon, May 24, 2024

Department of Social Welfare and Development, DSWD aid to Kanlaon evacuees reaches Php1.4 million, June 6, 2024

Philippine News Agency, DSWD builds P40-M warehouse in Northern Samar town, January 9, 2024

Philippine News Agency, DSWD explores ties with USAID to upgrade Mindanao disaster response, February 23, 2024

On strengthening the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program

Department of Budget and Management, General Appropriations Act, FY 2024, accessed July 7, 2024

Department of Social Welfare and Development official Facebook page, ????????? ??????!, February 2021, 2024

House of Representatives, House Bills and Resolutions: Institutionalizing Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICS) Program, accessed July 8, 2024

Senate of the Philippines, Bills 19th Congress: Institutionalizing Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICS) Program, accessed July 8, 2024

On cleansing list of 4Ps beneficiaries

Department of Social Welfare and Development, DSWD Highlights 4Ps Achievement and Pandemic Response, February 13, 2024

Department of Social Welfare and Development Facebook page, DSWD THURSDAY MEDIA FORUM EPISODE 5, February 1, 2024

Philippine News Agency, DSWD to add more 4Ps beneficiaries by September, February 1, 2024

Department of Social Welfare and Development, DSWD pushes anew for adjustments in 4Ps grants as inflation soars, May 9, 2024

On sustaining and widening supplemental feeding program for Child Development Centers and Supervised Neighborhood Play

Department of Social Welfare and Development, personal communication (email), July 1, 2024

Department of Budget and Management, General Appropriations Act, FY 2024, accessed July 7, 2024

Department of Social Welfare and Development, DSWD supplementary feeding for SY 2023 to start 2nd week September, Sept. 8, 2023

On ensuring capacity of health care system to prevent sudden rise in COVID-19 cases

Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau Memorandum No. 2024-48, May 24, 2024

Presidential Communications Office, PBBM lifts State of Public Health Emergency throughout PH due to COVID-19, July 22, 2023

VERA Files, FACT SHEET: What you need to know about COVID FLiRT, June 18, 2024

Philippine News Agency, PH Covid-19 cases increase slow, manageable – DOH, June 4, 2024

On encouraging everyone to get booster shots vs COVID-19

Philippine News Agency, DOH: Slight uptick in Covid-19 cases due to holidays, Dec. 15, 2023

ABS-CBN News, 49.7 million COVID-19 jabs wasted: DOH, Nov. 15, 2023

GMA News Online, DOH: 47.9 million COVID-19 vaccine doses wasted, Nov. 15, 2023

Inquirer.Net, 49.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines wasted – Sen. Pia Cayetano, Nov. 15, 2023

Department of Health, National COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard, accessed July 7, 2023

On establishing a Center for Disease Control and Prevention and passing a National Disease Prevention Management Authority bill

VERA Files, FACT SHEET: The Philippine CDC bill explained, May 31, 2023

Senate of the Philippines, Senate Bill No. 1869, accessed July 7, 2024

On establishing specialty hospitals like Heart Center and Lung Center in regions outside Metro Manila

Presidential Communications Office, PBBM approves ‘Regional Specialty Centers Act’ to establish, institutionalize specialty health centers nationwide, Aug. 29, 2023

Presidential Communications Office, PBBM: Gov’t puts up 131 medical specialty centers nationwide as of December 2023; allots P11.12 billion for this year, Jan. 15, 2024

Presidential Communications Office, PBBM eyes to establish 179 specialty centers before end of his term, Jan. 23, 2024

On improving welfare of health care professionals

Department of Budget and Management, DBM: OVER P91 BILLION FOR EMERGENCY BENEFITS, ALLOWANCES OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS ALREADY RELEASED, accessed July 7, 2024

Department of Budget and Management, PBBM’s promise fulfilled DBM to release P27 Billion for payment of remaining Health Emergency Allowance claims, July 4, 2024

House of Representatives of the Philippines, House Bills and Resolutions: Institutionalizing Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino, accessed July 7, 2024

Senate of the Philippines, Bills 19th Congress: Institutionalizing Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino, accessed July 7, 2024

On ordering Philippine Competition Commission to remove cartels among pharmaceutical companies to lower prices of medicine

Philippine Competition Commission, PCC to begin more thorough review of Ayala’s acquisition of Northern Luzon drugstore chain, April 23, 2024

Philippine Competition Commission, personal communication (email), July 3, 2024

On condensing 240-section handbook for migrant workers

Department of Migrant Workers, personal communication (letter), June 28, 2024

On enrolling children of OFWs in programs on financial literacy, mental wellness, sports, art and culture

Local Government Unit of Flora Apayao Facebook page, ??? ????????’? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ????????? ??? ??? ?? ??????? ??? ???, June 26, 2024

OWWA Region 02 Cagayan Valley Facebook page, “Today, OWWA RWO2 team, led by Director Virsie Tamayao,” July 2, 2024

The OWWA Region 3 Facebook page, BACK TO BACK ORIENTATIONS FOR CHILDREN OF OFWs, Oct. 11, 2023

Owwa Mimaropa Facebook page, OWWA PAGUSAD para sa Kabataang Pamilyang OFW, Oct. 6, 2022

OWWA Region 6 – Western Visayas Facebook page, OWWA RWO VI CONDUCTED OFW CHILDREN’S CIRCLE ART WORKSHOP WITH CHRISTINE O. OCTOSO, July 5, 2024

OWWA Regional Welfare Office IX Facebook page, “Successfully conducted OFW Children’s Circle Phase 2 Organization,” Feb. 23, 2024

Peso Malitbog Facebook page, “Maayong adlaw,” June 20, 2024

OWWA Caraga Facebook page, “LOOK: OWWA Caraga led by OIC Regional Director Ma. Ireen C. Cambaling,” Nov. 22, 2022

Owwa Barmm Facebook page, OWWA BARMM Successfully conducts Lakbay Aral – Tree Planting Activity, June 22, 2024

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, 2024 Approved Budget, accessed July 7, 2024

On passing a bill establishing a Medical Reserve Corps

House of Representatives of the Philippines, House Bill No. 6158, accessed July 7, 2024

Senate of the Philippines, Bills 19th Congress: Medical Reserve Corps, accessed July 7, 2024

Presidential Communications Office, 20 legislative measures approved for December 2023 passage in 2nd LEDAC meeting, July 5, 2023

On creating the Virology Institute of the Philippines

House of Representatives of the Philippines, House Bill No. 6452, accessed July 7, 2024

Senate of the Philippines, Bills 19th Congress: Virology Institute of the Philippines, accessed July 7, 2024

Presidential Communications Office, 20 legislative measures approved for December 2023 passage in 2nd LEDAC meeting, July 5, 2023