Philippines: The transformative potential of an universal social protection floor

“The universal and potentially 'transformative' character of the USPF has broad appeal to many rights-based advocates", explained Victoria Raquiza, convenor of Social Watch Philippines at the start of a debate convened by SWP and UNICEF in Manila, last April 26. “While acknowledging the strides made in social protection such as through the conditional cash transfer program (Pantawid Pamilya), PhilHealth and pensions for the elderly, social protection remains fragmented, inaccessible and unreachable to many Filipinos."

Speakers from the governmental Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Anti-Poverty Commission, and the Coalition of Services of the Elderly reacted to the propositions of UNIEF, the ILO and Social Watch Philippines.

Social Watch Philippines (SWP), in partnership of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) conducted a policy discussion entitled 'Universal Social Protection Floor (USPF): What's in it for us?', last April 26 to be participated in by the International Labor Organization (ILO), key national government agencies, CSO representatives, academics,  civil society organizations and other stakeholders.

The USPF is a set of basic social security guarantees that covers essential health care, income security for children, for persons of working age but are unable to earn sufficient income due to illness, unemployment, maternity and disability as well as for older persons. Furthermore, the Philippines is a signatory to the attainment of the United Nations sponsored Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of which the implementation of the USPFs falls under (target 1.3 of Goal 1 on ‘ending poverty in all its forms everywhere.’)

SWP co-convenor Dr. Ma. Victoria Raquiza said that this event is important as we have observed a lack of policy traction, and even awareness of the USPF among policy makers, civil society organizations (CSOs) and social movements in the country.

“The universal and potentially ‘transformative’ character of the USPF has broad appeal to many rights-based advocates, including SWP both at global and national levels, and as such, we would like to promote it” she explained.

SWP invited speakers from the International Labour Organization to give a talk about international trends on universal social protection and the National Economic and Development Authority to discuss the Philippine government’s past and current initiatives on the USPF. UNICEF also presented its approach to social protection. The panel of reactors come from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Anti-Poverty Commission, and the Coalition of Services of the Elderly.

Dr. Raquiza said that social protection initiatives in the country remain fragmented, inaccessible and unreachable to many Filipinos.  “While acknowledging the strides made in social protection such as through the conditional cash transfer program (Pantawid Pamilya), PhilHealth and pensions for the elderly, these programs need to be rationalized as part of a broader developmental, integrated and rights-based social protection scheme”.

“In this context, SWP aims to promote and deepen awareness on the USPF with a view to increasing ownership of both the concept and possibly its practice in a Philippine context,” Raquiza stressed.

With this, UNICEF Social Policy Chief Dr. Augusto Rodriguez said that UNICEF pledges to be at the forefront of promoting USPF. “We believe that USPF is very much aligned with UNICEF’s framework of equity in children. We are positive that it will harness a holistic package that will help eliminate the unfair and avoidable circumstances that deprive the rights, survival, development, and reaching the full potential of child, alongside other sectors as well.”

“We hope that this policy forum will spark increased awareness and interest in the USPF and eventually receive the policy attention it deserves,” Dr. Raquiza concluded.

Social Watch is also a member of the Global CSO Coalition of the Universal Social Protection Floor.

Reference: Dr. Marivic Raquiza | 0949-8876321 | 236-0614

Source: Social Watch Philippines.