Stars help government reach out to poor

To effectively implement her administration’s anti-poverty and outreach programs, President Arroyo has beefed up her "front act" with a star-studded line-up.

The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) announced yesterday that the President has asked the support of popular television, film and music personalities to help bridge the perceived gap between her administration and the urban poor.

NAPC Secretary Teresita Deles said the success of the "Kapit-bisig sa Kahirapan" project would rely heavily on proper communication strategy.

And the best ambassadors for the job are undoubtedly the celebrities who are idolized by the masses.

Already, Aga Muhlach, Sharon Cuneta, Gary Valenciano and Jolina Magdangal have volunteered their services in the outreach program. Former action star Gov. Lito Lapid was earlier designated by the President as emissary in dialogues between the government and the urban poor groups.

"Perhaps, we can say that they will be the front acts. The Arroyo administration needs them so that we can talk to the poorest among our population," Deles said.

She admitted that the renewed focus on an outreach program was a direct result of the May 1 demonstrations, which involved mostly urban poor residents of Metro Manila.

"This is the first phase of delivering a message of compassion. This is our response to the violence, where they poured out their grievances. We want to assure them that the government is reaching out and looking at the problem of poverty," Deles said.

The NAPC said the Arroyo government aims to reduce poverty incidence from the current 32 percent to around 25 percent by the end of 2004. — Marichu Villanueva