Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has reiterated the agency’s plan to intensify the programs and services that will contribute to the goal of President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr’s administration in reducing the poverty incidence to a single digit before the end of the chief executive’s term in 2028.
“Ang sabi nga ng Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) at National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), we’re on track to reach single-digit poverty incidence by the end of the term of the President in 2028. So kami, ang kaya namin sabihin, una ay pag-iigtingin pa natin kasi marami pa rin ang 17 million individuals,” Secretary Gatchalian said in a press conference at the DSWD’s New Press Center in Quezon City last Monday (August 19).
Secretary Gatchalian said the DSWD continues to innovate programs and enhance its existing services to achieve the current administration’s goal in a shorter time.
“So, hindi tayo titigil, kaya nga marami tayong mga bagong programang inilulunsad dito para lalong maabot natin sa mabilis na panahon yung goal ng ating Pangulo na single-digit poverty incidence by 2028,” the DSWD chief said.
Secretary Gatchalian said President Marcos’ directive for a whole-of-government approach has contributed to the decrease in poverty incidence in 2023.
“Natutuwa kami dahil yung whole-of-government approach ng ating Pangulo ibig sabihin ay gumagana na. We’re back to pre-pandemic levels pagdating sa poverty incidence. From a high of 19 million Filipinos bumaba siya to 17 million individuals. Ibig sabihin yung pagpupunyagi ng ating pangulo na whole-of-government approach, unti-unti nang tumatalab,” the DSWD chief pointed out.
Based on the PSA’s Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES), poverty incidence dropped to 15.5% or 17.54 million people in 2023 from 18.1% or 19.99 million poor individuals in 2021.
Secretary Gatchalian pointed out that the 17.54 million poor individuals is about 3.49 million households which is almost equivalent to the 4.4 million households who are currently receiving cash grants under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). #