Press Release
October 17, 2019

MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY

"I believe that he who has less in life should have more in law."

This is one of the oft-cited quotes from the credo of the late President Ramon Magsaysay which underscored his administration's agenda of genuine public service.

President Magsaysay's legacy of championing the poor's welfare continues to inspire and challenge us to this day, especially our leaders, to balance the scale of social justice. It is incumbent upon all of us to address the plight of our poor countrymen and defeat the scourge of worsening poverty in the country, especially under the rule of a tyrannical leader who does not care for them.

In observing the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, let us remember and help those who have long been neglected by authorities, and who are victims of violence, abuse, and exploitation. Clearly, we need to be in touch with them to truly understand their sufferings and provide lasting solutions to their problems.

This is why I am all the more grateful that as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, the Magna Carta of the Poor Act and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act, which I principally authored, have already been enacted into law, to ensure the basic needs of the poor and invest on their education, health and nutrition.

And as the late Nelson Mandela, liberator of South Africa who dedicated his life fighting against racism and discrimination, said: "As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality exist in our world, none of us can truly rest."

As long as there are children who cannot afford to study because of financial problems and beg for money on the streets; as long as there are parents who are forced to leave their family to work abroad; as long as the continued abuse of our less fortunate countrymen for selfish interests persists, we cannot and we shall not stop fighting for their causes.

Until everyone is able to thrive with humane and dignified lives, it is my hope that we will never stop working together to fulfill our commitment and obligation to each other in upholding equality and social justice toward this shared goal.

(Sgd.) LEILA M. DE LIMA

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