DELIBERATIONS opened today, April 14, on House Bill 7452, a measure seeking to institutionalize a targeted poverty reduction initiative for the country’s five poorest provinces, all located in Mindanao.
Introduced by Rep. Adrian Michael A. Amatong (3rd District of Zamboanga del Norte), the proposed “National Recovery and Acceleration Program Act” focuses on Zamboanga del Norte, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Sur, and Maguindanao.
The bill guarantees these areas priority support across infrastructure, social protection, livelihood, peace and security, and environmental sustainability for up to six years.
In a virtual interview today, Amatong pointed out the necessity of a permanent and dedicated poverty-bridging mechanism.
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“Dili ra ni sya karon ha, ang plan is sa tanang higayon ang naa sa pinakaubos tagaan og extra attention (This isn’t just for now, the plan is that at all times those at the very bottom are given extra attention),” Amatong said in a cyber-interview this morning.
He added: “I’m trying to make one of the priorities of the government ang pag bridge sa gap sa poverty by making sure the poor areas are given extra attention.”
A central debate in today’s deliberations revolves around which government body should lead the effort.
The proposed measure places the program under the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev)
Amatong defended this provision, saying, “My proposal is DepDev para naay access jud sa tanan (so there is access to everything).”
He criticized the current structural framework, noting, “But it’s not working. And NAPC [National Anti-Poverty Commission] has limited clout.”
This puts the bill at odds with recent recommendations from the House Committee on Poverty Alleviation.
In an April 13 memo obtained by Gold Star Daily, Committee Chairperson Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo advised significant revisions, pointing out that DEPDev is a policy and coordinating arm rather than an implementing agency.
Because the five specified provinces are in Mindanao, Arroyo recommended tapping the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to oversee the offices rather than creating a new bureau.
"We agreed to give MinDA the task of leading the implementation while also recognizing the importance of DepDev's participation in the planning of development initiatives," Amatong said.
Arroyo’s committee also suggested that the NAPC should take over the job of the proposed Inter-Agency Council, as coordinating and overseeing poverty programs aligns with NAPC’s existing mandate.
The committee also recommended changing the bill’s title, arguing that the phrase “National Recovery” is inaccurate for a measure that specifically isolates five provinces.
Under the bill’s current framework, any targeted province whose poverty incidence falls below the national average during the six-year cycle will graduate from the program to make room for newly qualified provinces.
