The Philippines have a somehow high rate of poverty. Although last year, the rate of poverty in the country substantially saw a decline, the Philippines can't still be considered a first-world country because of the poverty rate. Since the last data of poverty, the government had a targeted declination to 13 to 15 percent.
To be able to give to the poverty-stricken families, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Magna Carta bill into law. This law, in general, is directed to boost both the quality and the standards of living of Filipinos who are part of the poverty demographic.
What is the Magna Carta of the Poor law?
The Magna Carta of the Poor Act was submitted by the Senate Office of the Philippines as the Senate Bill 2121 on the 29th of January, 2019. Thereafter, was adopted by the House of Representatives as amendment to House Bill 5811 on the 30th of January, 2019.
Read: The Anti-Hospital Deposit Law to Make Hospitals Treat Emergency Services Without Down Payment
Republic Act (R.A.) 11291 or more commonly known as the Magna Carta of the Poor is a law which would give appropriate hands to those who are in dire need. The law was signed last 12th of April 2019 but a copy was released to the media on Monday, May 27th, 2019.
The law states that the Philippine government should make up a system that would progress implementation and realization to be able to provide for the poor and all of their rights.
The government shall establish a system of progressive realization or implementation to provide the requirements, conditions, and opportunities for the full enjoyment or realization of the following rights of the poor, which are essential requirements towards poverty alleviation.”
In addition to that, the law also mandates the non-diminution of the poverty-stricken people or "all other rights of the poor provided under existing laws shall remain in full force and in effect."
Specifically, it tasks government agencies that are concerned to give assurance that the rights of the poor would be at the highest and best attainable standard of health is what they will meet. The goal is to ensure the following:
- Adequate Housing
- Decent Work
- Free, Relevant, and Quality Education
- Adequate Food
The agencies that would be assigned to ensuring these would be the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Is it different from the recently signed 4Ps by the President?
Last 17th of April, 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte also signed another law which would lend a hand to the poor population of the Philippines. Republic Act (R.A.) 11310, otherwise known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), is a law that would support poor families with cash grants for up to seven (7) years. More so, the 4Ps is a law that promotes education, health, and nutrition among the poor even if they do not have the means to send their children to school.
Read more about it here: The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Signed Into Law
The Magna Carta of the Poor, however would entail a system of progressive adjustments for the poor of the country to be able to enjoy as much as those who have a better stature in the society.
These two (2) recently signed laws are different but are able to complement each other by giving chances, options, and opportunities to the poor families in the country.
When will the law take effect?
Like other bills that were signed into law, the Magna Carta of the Poor law shall be effective and observed fifteen (15) days after the publication in an official newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette of the Philippines.
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Senator Leila de Lima, one of the promoters of the law, warmly welcomed the development and the implementation of the new law.
The dream of the poor for a better future is within reach with the signing of this law. Finally, their pleas have been heard and the state will be their refuge."
The government is looking at the newly-signed Magna Carta of the Poor law to establish a long-term relationship of poverty-stricken families to the high government of the Philippines. More so, the law would really be the hope of the poor families of the country to live out what they need in their lives.
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