20 projects eyed for 20 poorest provinces in 2020

NEW CLARK CITY, Philippines — The government will give priority to the 20 poorest provinces with the implementation of 20 projects in 2020, according to Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano. 

“We want to have a perfect vision for next year, that’s why I call it 20-20,” Cayetano told reporters in Capas, Tarlac on Wednesday. “We need to fine-tune the budget.”

 “The 20 poorest provinces have always been the poorest all these years. In 2020 we want to come up with 20 projects... We are talking to various agencies and departments to help,” he said. 

Cayetano cited the conditional cash transfer program as among the projects which should be continued, noting that it has been working for the benefit of the poorest of the poor.

He also bared plans to integrate various programs and implement them in the 20 poorest provinces.

“Because it is not right that agencies fight for funding allocations, but these poorest provinces are always left behind,”Cayetano said.

He said the House of Representatives would fasttrack the approval of bills that have undergone debates and a consensus had been reached.

Malacañang said the government aims to reduce poverty from 21.6 percent in 2015 to 14 percent in 2022. This is equivalent to lifting about six million Filipinos out of poverty by the end of President Duterte’s term.