Social Welfare

The Philippine House of Representatives has approved three bills on third and final reading, including two measures identified as priorities by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

April 29, 2026 Reported by AI

Senators criticized transport network vehicle services (TNVS) companies for their list of driver-beneficiaries containing repetitive names, allowing some drivers to receive aid more than once. Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian called these ‘ghost drivers’ and said the government could have lost up to P2.7 billion if not flagged.

The black-red coalition plans a comprehensive modernization of the social system to reduce bureaucracy and digitize processes. A commission with representatives from the federal government, states, and municipalities has developed 26 recommendations, which Federal Social Minister Bärbel Bas will present on Tuesday. Planned are fewer authorities, merged benefits, and automatic child benefit, without cuts to social assistance.

January 19, 2026 Reported by AI

The Secretariat of Well-being began the staggered distribution of the Pension for the Well-being of Older Adults for the January-February 2026 bimonthly period. From January 19 to 23, beneficiaries whose first surname starts with M, N, Ñ, O, P, Q, or R can withdraw the 6,400 pesos deposited in their Banco del Bienestar Card. This support, which increased by 200 pesos from the previous year, adjusts annually for inflation as a constitutional right.

Hong Kong’s incoming social welfare lawmaker, Grace Chan Man-yee, has vowed to actively engage young people in policy discussions and strengthen communications with frontline workers to address a “knowledge gap” in professional conduct. She expressed confidence that critical voices would exist in the legislature, even if not always in front of the cameras. Chan will assume office on January 1, 2026, succeeding Tik Chi-yuen.

December 18, 2025 Reported by AI

During International Minorities Day celebrations at State House, Nairobi, on December 18, 2025, President William Ruto ordered the enrollment of minority and marginalized communities into cash transfer programs and announced a policy and initiatives to promote their inclusion.