The Philippine government on Tuesday proposed a budget hike for next year of more than 10 percent, making it worth $47.8 billion, as it seeks to fight poverty and boost social services.
The proposed budget, which would be worth just over two trillion pesos, will put an emphasis on social services such as the education and public works departments, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said.
More than 26 percent of the Philippine population of about 95 million people are considered by the government to be living in poverty.