De Lima elated over passage into law of Magna Carta of the Poor bill

May 25, 2019

Opposition Senator Leila de Lima has expressed elation over the passage into law of Republic Act 11291 or the “Magna Carta of the Poor” which ensures their full access to basic services to help alleviate poverty.

De Lima, principal sponsor and author of the bill in the Senate, said the enactment shall guarantee that the poor are granted ready access to government services and encourage private sectors to invest in pro-poor programs.

“The dream of the poor for a better future is within reach with the signing of this law. Finally, their pleas have been heard and the state will be their refuge,” added the former justice secretary.

Last April 12, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11291,

De Lima, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, thanked her colleagues for crossing party lines in supporting the pro-poor bill and helping push for its swift enactment into law.

Senate Bill No. 2021 was approved on third and final reading at the Senate last January 29. A similar bill was approved by the House of Representatives in August 2017.

RA 11291 mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in coordination with the National Economic and Development Authority and the National Anti-Poverty Commission to identify and target its beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries in the new law 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, and housing. DMS