MANILA, Philippines--THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE has opposed proposals to tap various government funds for the implementation of a draft bill called the "Magna Carta of the Poor."

The bill is aimed at putting teeth to the government's antipoverty efforts through the implementation of more programs to uplift the plight of the poor.

The DOF said in a position paper, however, that the proposed funding sources listed in the bill could no longer be tapped for other projects or programs.

Under the bill, the government would allocate 20 percent of its share in the income of Pagcor, 20 percent of its share in the income of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, 50 percent of proceeds from the sale of sequestered assets, and 50 percent of proceeds from the sale of goods auctioned by the Bureau of Customs to the "Magna Carta of the Poor."

The bill states that the government should invest more heavily in antipoverty programs. It seeks to require the government to allocate P6 billion from the Treasury as seed money for the "Magna Carta of the Poor."

The bill also seeks to grant tax incentives to private sector entities that are willing to partner with the national government in the implementation of propoor programs, such as the establishment of socialized housing projects.

"The government must prioritize investments in antipoverty programs to empower the poor to participate responsibly in the country's growth and development," according to the bill.

But the DOF said tapping the funding sources listed in the bill to implement programs promoted under the "Magna Carta of the Poor" would be redundant.

The DOF said legislators could not simply require the national government to allocate portions of its income from various sources for the implementation of the propoor projects because this would affect ongoing antipoverty and developmental programs.

"We express reservations on certain provisions of the bill on funding requirements to be sourced from the government share in Pagcor and PCSO, and proceeds from sale of goods or articles... We can no longer afford to reduce further the coffers of the government to support priority programs and projects," the DOF said in the position paper submitted to the House of Representatives.

The DOF also said that having a law requiring the national government to allocate 50 percent of the proceeds from sale of sequestered assets would be in conflict with an existing law that says 100 percent of the same funds should go to the agrarian reform fund, as stated under the Agrarian Reform law.

The DOF also said requiring the national government to allot 50 percent of the proceeds from the sale of good auctioned by the the Bureau of Customs would restrict its capability to fund other vital programs.

"Under the present system, all proceeds are remitted to the general fund from which appropriations are parceled out on a per-need basis to the various agencies of government," the DOF said.

The DOF said there were already various antipoverty programs being carried out by line agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development.