Manila: The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) on Thursday announced its efforts to secure administrative backing for the proposed PHP4.5-billion People's Development Trust Fund (PDTF), aimed at enhancing microfinance and capacity development programs for marginalized sectors across the nation.

According to Philippines News Agency, NAPC Secretary Lope Santos III advocated for the initiative in a high-level meeting with Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) Undersecretary Georgina Hernandez-Yang. Santos emphasized that the fund is essential for providing sustainable socio-economic interventions for the country's fundamental sectors. He formally requested OES assistance to strengthen the involvement and representation of these sectors in both local and national governance.

The establishment of the PHP4.5-billion trust fund is a central focus for the anti-poverty body. The PDTF is specifically designed to support grassroots microfinance initiatives and long-term capability-building programs aimed at alleviating poverty for low-income families. This initiative aligns with the agency's mandate under Republic Act 8425, also known as the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act.

The commission has already prepared the executive order to establish the fund after discussions with the Office of the President and two of NAPC's member agencies. Additionally, NAPC has engaged with various congressional representatives, aiming to secure funding for the trust fund through the General Appropriations Act.

During the meeting, Undersecretary Yang emphasized fostering cohesive operational alignment between the two offices to streamline the messaging of primary government priorities and grassroots initiatives. She highlighted the ongoing implementation of critical local funding mechanisms, such as the Local Government Support Fund and the Socio-Civic Projects Fund, which are strategically designed to assist local government units in executing development and poverty-reduction programs.

The collaborative briefing also included NAPC Undersecretary Mary Rose Villaflor and Office of the Lead Convenor Executive Assistant Jiru Rada, who both expressed their support for the unified anti-poverty roadmap between NAPC and OES.