THE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Friday that the poverty incidence in the country decreased to 16.4% in the first semester of 2023, down from 18.0% in the same period in 2021.
According to the National Statistician and Civil Registrar General, PSA Undersecretary Dennis Mapa, this is equivalent to 230,000 households lifted from poverty.
In terms of population, the poverty incidence decreased to 22.4% from 23.7%, translating to 895,260 fewer poor Filipinos.
Across the Philippines, poverty incidence decreased in 15 out of 17 regions from 2021 to 2023, including the National Capital Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga.
The PSA further stated that the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM had the highest poverty incidence at 44.8%, while Metro Manila had the lowest at 5.1%.
Marcos administration welcomes decline in poverty incidence, vows to continue efforts
The Marcos administration welcomed the PSA report showing a decline in poverty incidence in the first six months of 2023.
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan stated that the decision to fully open the economy and lift all COVID-19 restrictions in the country starting in 2022 allowed the nation to recover.
Balisacan also mentioned that government interventions, such as the Targeted Cash Transfer Program, fuel subsidy, one-time rice allowance, and Free Ride Program, helped mitigate the adverse effects of inflation on poor households.
The government also pledged to continue its efforts to further reduce the number of poor Filipinos.
Balisacan announced that the administration would ensure the effective implementation of various measures and interventions in the social sector to reduce poverty at the national and regional levels. This includes the effective implementation of the new Social Protection Floor, the passage of the Jobs for the Nation Act, the National Housing for Filipinos Program, and the establishment of the No Hunger 2027 Food Stamp Program.
Balisacan also declared that the administration’s priority remains achieving a single-digit poverty level by 2028 through ongoing initiatives prioritizing the creation of high-quality and well-paying jobs.
NEDA also assured that the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals remain sound to sustain growth in the medium and long term.
