Thousands of poor folk are expected to flock to Rizal Park in Manila today (Friday, Oct.17) as the Arroyo government has announced plans to offer free services in a special National People's Day caravan to be held as part of the activities lined for this year's National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty (NWOEP) and the United Nations' Stand Up, Take Action campaign.

The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) said more than 20 government agencies will offer free services, including a job fair and medical and dental service, from 11 am onwards at the Rizal Park on October 17, 2008 in response to the UN Stand Up, Take Action Campaign. Some 50 foreign and local employers are expected to offer employment opportunities to qualified applicants.

NAPC, which is headed by Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban, will lead a wreath laying ceremony along with UN officials, city government officials of Manila, the ATD Fourth World, representatives from both the basic sector and poor communities of Metro Manila at a replica of the stone marker commemorating the UN General Assembly's declaration of October 17 as the annual International Day for the Eradication of Poverty in 2005. The annual commemoration is in recognition of the event which took place in Paris in October 1987 wherein human rights activists globally denounced extreme poverty. A commemorative stone in honor of victims of extreme poverty was unveiled during the event.

The Arroyo administration is currently urging wider public support for the UN Millennium Development Goals and the government's proposed budget for its pro-poor programs in 2009, which as of September 2008 amounted to some P246 billion.

Assistant Secretary Dolores de Quiros Castillo stressed the importance of bigger public investments, concerted action and unity in the face of the country's serious poverty situation.

"The basic intent of the NWOEP, the UN Stand Up, Take Action campaign and our National People's Day activities is to strengthen public awareness and support for the effort to reduce poverty and eliminate hunger among Filipinos," she said.

She said government is currently batting for congressional approval of its proposed multi-billion peso outlay for pro-poor programs in 2009 as the nation is now past the midway point of the timeline set for the achievement of the millennium objectives in 2015.

"Our proposed pro-poor budget for 2009 includes programs to ensure adequate food for the poor, better education and social welfare services, and a comprehensive health program. These are all crucial to the attainment of the MDGs," she said.

Castillo said among the agencies participating in the People's Day activities at the Rizal Park include NAPC, DSWD , DOLE,DEPED ,DOH, NNC, TESDA, DA, DAR, DTI, AFP, MMDA, PCUP, the basic sectors and non government organization partners of NAPC and the local government of Manila.