Labega pushes inter-ministerial coordination and sustainable funding for poverty reduction

GREAT BAY--With the Parliament debate on the 2027 national budget expected to begin this week, Member of Parliament (MP) Dimar Labega has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the implementation of the National Poverty Reduction Strategy, calling for stronger coordination among government ministries and clear timelines for introducing new revenue-generating measures to support poverty reduction initiatives.

Following the unanimous approval of his motion during the 2026 budget debate, MP Labega is emphasizing the importance of moving from policy development to implementation. He maintains that the success of the national poverty reduction effort will depend on a coordinated government approach, supported by measurable objectives, adequate resources and a sustainable funding strategy.

As part of his continued follow-up on the motion, MP Labega recently met with the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) to discuss progress toward its implementation and the steps being taken to establish the necessary framework.

The MP expressed satisfaction with the progress reported by the Ministry of VSA, noting that the Ministry has taken steps toward advancing the objectives outlined in the parliamentary motion within a relatively short period.

However, Labega stressed that poverty reduction cannot be addressed by the Ministry of VSA alone. He said the development and implementation of a National Poverty Reduction Strategy require cooperation among several ministries, particularly those responsible for social development, finance, housing and economic affairs.

According to the MP, a coordinated approach is necessary to ensure that government policies, financial resources and implementation schedules are aligned. He emphasized that cooperation across ministries would also help address administrative challenges, prevent duplication of efforts and improve the delivery of programs intended to assist vulnerable households.

"Our people cannot eat plans on paper, and while the progress made by the Ministry of VSA is highly encouraging, the government must now come together as a whole," MP Labega stated. "The motion approved by Parliament mandates a cohesive framework. We need to see this joint roadmap and the poverty baseline assessment fully realized across all ministries, ensuring that public sector capacity constraints do not stall these critical programs."

In addition to inter-ministerial coordination, MP Labega raised concerns about the financial sustainability of the National Poverty Reduction Strategy, particularly in relation to the revenue measures being considered as part of the 2027 National Budget.

He expressed concern that the draft budget does not adequately identify new revenue-generating measures capable of supporting long-term poverty reduction initiatives. While acknowledging the importance of improving tax compliance and strengthening the collection of existing revenues, Labega maintained that these efforts alone may not provide the additional funding required to implement structural social and economic reforms.

The MP is therefore calling on the Minister of Finance to provide clear and actionable timelines for the development and introduction of new revenue streams. He believes these timelines should be accompanied by measurable milestones that would allow Parliament to assess the government's progress in expanding its revenue base.

Labega also emphasized the need to examine progressive economic measures that could contribute to government revenue while supporting broader national development objectives.

He warned that without an identified funding mechanism and predictable implementation schedule, poverty reduction programs could face financial limitations that delay their execution or restrict their effectiveness.

The MP believes that the National Poverty Reduction Strategy must be supported by both a coordinated implementation framework and a realistic fiscal plan. This, he said, would provide greater certainty regarding the government's ability to meet its commitments and deliver measurable results.

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