NAPC backs PSA, NEDA in reviewing poverty threshold

The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) on Friday said it supports the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in reviewing its methods for identifying food-poor individuals in the country.

“Susuportahan namin 'yung gagawin ng PSA at NEDA na ireview itong poverty threshold at ino-offer namin 'yung NAPC particularly itong 14 basic sector nang magamit ang mekanismong ito upang magkaroon ng komprehensibong konsultasyon," said NAPC lead convenor Secretary Lope Santos III at a public briefing. 

(We will support what the PSA and NEDA will do to review this poverty threshold and we offer the NAPC particularly our 14 basic sectors for this mechanism to be used to have a comprehensive consultation.) 

He said along with NEDA and PSA, they will look into the minimum wage of the laborers, fishermen, as well as the situation of those in the informal sector. 

“Same with nano and small enterprises and cooperatives. Eto kasi 'yung mga maliliit na pamilya at araw-araw na tumutugon sa kanilang pangangailangan,” Santos said.  

“Ito ang pangunahing titignan ng NAPC, hindi lang para i-review ‘yung poverty threshold, kundi para tulong-tulong para maiangat ang mga mahihirap na pamilyang Pilipino,” he added. 

(This is what the NAPC will mainly look at, not just to review the poverty threshold, but to help lift the poor Filipino families.)

Santos noted that the country needs at least P616,391,011,500 to cater to the fundamental rights of the poor under its poverty reduction programs within four years. 

Meanwhile, asked if the government is on track in resolving poverty, he answered in the affirmative saying the country achieved 15.5% poverty incidence in 2023 from 18.1% in 2021.  

“Yes and ine-expect nating poverty incidence by 2023, target ay nasa 16.4% but we achieved 15.5% so we can say that the target of our government is really on track,” he said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News