Some 57,000 children from vulnerable families have benefited from the maternal subsidy program to help them access health and education services.
The National Director for Social Registration (NDDR) in the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MSS), Florencio Gonzaga, said that the government annually allocated specific funds to help vulnerable children improve their situation.
“Since its implementation in 2008, 57,000 children have been beneficiaries of this program,” he said in the National Parliament.
He said the program was targeted at low socio-economic families or those with many children and widows.
He said each eligible child received $5 per month, with payments made every six months.
He said subsidy was also provided to children up to the age of 17 when payments cease.
While the objective of the program was to help the vulnerable children, Gonzaga acknowledged some used the money for traditional ceremonies such as funerals, weddings and engagement parties.
“We would like to remind families to use the money properly because the objective of this program is to protect and ensure children’s access to education and health [services],” he added.
The maternal subsidy program was established in 2008 and is based on law decree No. 18/2012 which aims to support vulnerable families.
Meanwhile, President of Commission F (responsible for health, education, culture, veteran affairs and gender equality) MP Virgilio da Costa Hornai said although it was a worthwhile program, regular verification by the relevant ministry was needed to ensure the subsidy was benefiting those most in need.
He also lamented that the available data on beneficiaries was inaccurate and many recipients were not actually from vulnerable families.
Although the policy clearly stipulated that the maternal subsidy was for the vulnerable families, especially widows, single-parent families and people with disabilities, Hornai said the implementation remained ineffective.
