Senator Chiz Escudero is pushing for a broader and more uniform definition of indigency so more Filipinos can qualify for government assistance when faced with serious financial burdens.
Escudero said the current definition often focuses too much on income and fails to account for families who may earn above the poverty threshold but cannot afford major medical or legal expenses.
“Ano ba talaga ibig sabihin ng indigency? Meaning 4Ps ka ba? Ang problema kasi sa batas natin iisa lang ibig sabihin ng indigency. Pero para sa akin iba’t iba ang level ng indigency,” he said in his “Chiz Wiz! Usapang May Laman” podcast.
He noted that different government offices use different standards. Barangays issue certificates of indigency under the Local Government Code, the Public Attorney’s Office follows poverty-related standards, while the 4Ps program uses the DSWD’s targeting system.
“Indigency, therefore, should also be defined by circumstance, and not just income,” Escudero said.
He cited families dealing with cancer as an example, saying a household can become financially incapable of meeting its needs because of medical expenses even if its income is above the usual threshold.
“Pag may nagkasakit sa pamilya mo, tulad ng cancer, cancer-indigent ‘yung pamilya mo,” he said.
Escudero also pointed to people who need legal assistance but cannot afford the cost of litigation, including professionals such as teachers who may earn more than the minimum wage but still face extraordinary expenses.
“Kamukha rin nito magpa-file ka ng nullity of marriage, hindi naman ganon kadaling pulutin ‘yung P200,000 to P500,000 na panggastos diyan, di ba? So, litigation-indigent siya,” he said.
Litigation lawyer Maggie Garduque has supported the proposal, saying different classifications of indigency may be possible under the Constitution’s equal protection clause.IMT
