Caritas Philippines has criticized the lack of inclusive measures to address the needs of the poor and vulnerable in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first year in office.
“The majority of Filipinos are still struggling to make ends meet. The economic crisis and challenges exacerbated by the pandemic have only made things worse,” said Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, president of Caritas Philippines.
The prelate reminded Marcos Jr. that despite economic growth in the recent months, the country is still “lagging behind our neighbors”.
The social action arm of the Catholic Church in the Philippines claimed the first year of the Marcos Jr. administration is a “missed opportunity” and that the government has failed to “prioritize inclusive and sustainable growth policies”.
Caritas Philippines expressed alarm over “rampant smuggling and hoarding” of agricultural commodities, which “contributed to the rising prices” of food and basic necessities that impact poor communities.
Bishop Bagaforo said smuggling and hoarding “are not only unfair to farmers and consumers, but they also undermine the government’s efforts to address poverty and hunger.”
Bishop Allan Casicas of Marbel, corporate secretary of Caritas Philippines, lambasted the prevailing corruption in some government agencies, which he said has become a “norm”.
“The rampant misuse of government funds is deeply concerning. The administration needs to take a strong anti-corruption message and implement more directed anti-corruption programs,” he said.
Casicas lauded the full adoption of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) in government agencies, which has the potential to improve transparency and accountability.
However, the prelate said it is important that Filipinos “remain vigilant and monitor” the implementation of the system.
Caritas Philippines also warned against the “government’s treatment of human rights defenders and activists”.
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos, vice president of Caritas Philippines, said there is “little evidence” to the claims of the Marcos administration that it is committed to end red-tagging.
“I call on the administration to publicly instruct government officials to end the harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders and activists,” said the prelate.
Bishop Alminaza also criticized the government’s refusal to cooperate with the International Criminal Court in its probe into the war on drugs campaign of the previous administration.
Fr. Antonio Labiao Jr., executive secretary of Caritas Philippines, urged Marcos to focus on “poverty alleviation and social justice”. He said the country needs to see “concrete steps from the government to address the root causes of poverty and reforms that would meet the socio-economic needs of the people”.
