Duterte to launch pro-poor program in Davao

This was announced Saturday by Undersecretary Joselito “Penpen” Libres of the Office of Participatory Governance (OPG), which is initiating the pro-poor program.

Libres said “Biyaya ng Pagbabago,” short for “Biyaya ng Pagbabago Tungo sa Masagana at Matiwasay na Buhay Pilipino,” is a poverty alleviation program of Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr.

“Biyaya ng Pagbabago” is aligned with the objectives of the Philippine Development Plan ‎2017-2022 to reduce poverty in the country from 21.6% to 14%.

“We are targeting to alleviate poverty by 7%, or lift the lives of about six million people listed under the poverty level, before President Duterte’s term ends in 2022,” Libres said.

The program is aimed at making government services more responsive, adequate, effective and timely delivered to those that need them the most.

It also aims to encourage the people to become proactive in participatory governance and help in solving the problems of the country.

According to Libres, at least 100,000 supporters are expected to gather in Davao for the launching of “Biyaya ng Pagbabago” as pro-Duterte mass movement Kilusang Pagbabago (KP) will be staging a caravan from Luzon down to Davao.

Luzon chapters of KP will start the caravan days before the launching and will meet with the Visayas chapters in Cebu City on December 7.

The group will then proceed to Cagayan de Oro and to Davao the following day.

Libres is also inviting other pro-Duterte groups to join them at the launching of “Biyaya ng Pagbabago” in Davao City.

The KP, meanwhile, is mobilizing nationwide support for a complementary poverty alleviation program that stresses grassroots empowerment and participatory governance, and engaging government towards accessing and claim-taking of government services especially to the impoverish sectors and communities.- PNA