The government has pledged to work hard to reduce poverty incidence to 14 percent in 2022 after latest statistics showed the number of poor Filipinos dropped in the first half of 2018.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said they welcome the latest Philippine Statistics Authority report showing poverty incidence fell to 21 percent but they will not get complacent in improving the lives of Filipinos.
“As we commend the responsible departments and agencies for doing their respective jobs with commitment and fervor, we will not rest but rather continue to work hard to achieve our target of decreasing poverty incidence to 14 percent, or even better, by the end of PRRD’s term in 2022 and fulfill the President’s vision of providing a comfortable life for each and every Filipino,” Panelo said.
According to the PSA, poverty incidence in the country dropped to 21 percent in the first semester of 2018 from 27.6 percent in 2015. The data indicated the number of poor individuals fell to 23.1 million in 2018, compared to 28.8 million in 2015.
Panelo also cited that poverty incidence among families was estimated at 16.1 percent, from the 22.2 percent in the same period in 2015.
He has attributed the latest poverty reduction numbers to the government’s efforts to improve social services.
“These figures highlight that the Duterte administration has made significant strides and reflect how it seriously deals with the long-standing national issue of poverty,” he said. (Genalyn Kabiling)
