Manila: President Aquino signed on Monday a P 1.645 trillion (Dh 137.08 billion) budget for 2011, 30 percent of which was allotted for social welfare.
"This budget demonstrates our commitment to solving the problems of our people at the soonest time. This alleviates the burdens especially of the most disadvantaged," Aquino said when he signed the budget in Malacanang, the presidential palace.
Aquino was thankful to the lawmakers who approved his proposed allocation of funds to poor families. His proposed budget was also not altered by Congress, a sign that the executive and the legislative are in cooperative mood.
Explaining Aquino’s budget, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said that 34.1 percent of the P 1.645 trillion would go to social services.
"The reform budget of 2011 puts our poor countrymen first. This budget puts into pesos the Aquino government's unabashed bias for the poor," Abad said.
Aquino has been criticised for his proposed P 21 billion (Dh 1.76 billion) hand-outs to selected poor families.
Critics said that Aquino has brought back the culture of dependence among poor people instead of creating job, enabling them to earn and pay taxes.
For several years, the government has been trying to wean its subsidy for the poor. It has raised taxes for higher revenues for social service and development.
Some 33 percent of the country’s 92 million people live below the poverty line. They subsist on less than $ 2 a day.
Poor people have between four to five children, the National Statistics Office said.
Aquino’s budget is 6.8 percent higher than the 2009 budget, a sign that it has not lessened the ballooning budget deficit.
In defense of Aquino, the budget secretary said that the disbursement of funds from the budget will be transparent, with the help of information technology, to fight corruption.
"These general and special provisions require us to disclose key information on budgetary appropriations and releases using new information technology," Secretary Abad said.
Before the May elections, Aquino campaigned to fight corruption. He said he would not raise taxes but will enforce tax payment for higher government revenues.
