Caritas Manila welcomes passage of Magna Carta of the Poor

The social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila welcomed the passage into law a measure that seeks to uplift the lives of the poor and marginalized.

Fr. Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila, said the “Magna Carta of the Poor” is needed to help address poverty and hunger in the country.

President Rodrigo Duterte on April 12 has signed RA 11291, which requires agencies to provide full access to government services to the poor.

“That’s what good government is all about, taking care of the poor and marginalized,” Pascual said.

Under the new law, the government is mandated to prioritize programs for the poor that are concerned with the provision of food, shelter, livelihood, education and healthcare.

The beneficiaries include individuals whose income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority, and those who cannot afford in a sustained manner to provide their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, housing or other essential amenities of life.

Fr. Pascual said they are hoping that government agencies have the time and resources to implement the Magna Carta.

“That is always the problem… efficiency and effect of government execution,” he said.