Safety Nets

1.  Develop safety net programs that are readily available and can be scaled up during financial and economic crisis, calamities, emergencies and disasters (e.g., public workfare program);

2.  Allocate quick-disbursing funds at the national and local levels, to assist victims of calamities and disasters;

3.  Implement an emergency response income-support program through employment creation in distressed areas, to respond to contingencies such as recessions, natural and man-made disasters or sudden income shocks; and put in place a regular monitoring mechanism to ensure the readiness of relevant agencies during natural and man-made disasters;

4.  Reform the NFA Rice Subsidy program, to effectively target the poor and to support the CCT and other anti-poverty and social protection programs; and

5.  Strengthen safety nets for OFWs:

a)  Intensify the effort for OWWA membership enrolment and renewal; and

b)  Institute dialogues and forge agreements to further strengthen cooperation with labor-receiving countries towards mutual protection and benefits for the OFWs.