NAPC backs NEDA, PSA review of poverty metrics

MANILA – The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) on Friday expressed support for the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Philippine Statistics Authority's (PSA) planned review of the thresholds used by the government to determine poverty.

During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon Program aired over state-run PTV-4, NAPC lead convenor Secretary Lope Santos III said the 14 basic sectors
considered most vulnerable to poverty must be considered to have more accurate poverty metrics.

"Ino-offer namin iyong NAPC, particularly 'yung mga 14 basic sector na magamit itong mekanismong ito upang magkaroon ng komprehensibong konsultasyon (We offer the NAPC, particularly the 14 basic sectors, for this mechanism to have a comprehensive consultation)," Santos said.

According to Republic Act 8425, the 14 basic sectors consist of farmers and landless rural workers; artisanal fisherfolk; urban poor; indigenous peoples; formal labor and migrant workers; informal workers; women; youth and students; persons with disabilities; victims of disasters and calamities; senior citizens; non-government organizations; children; and cooperatives.

Santos said the participation of representatives from the basic sectors in the review of poverty thresholds is necessary.

"So, the participatory process is very important in determining the review process, including the methodology and ganoon din 'yung magiging resulta nito na dapat may pag-iisip na nanggagaling mula doon sa mga batayang sektor (the same will be the result of this, that there must be an input that comes from the basic sectors)," Santos said.

Santos also expressed optimism about the NEDA and the PSA's openness on the involvement of the private sector representatives in the review, monitoring, and evaluation process of anti-poverty measures.

He said family income and expenditures should also be revisited to have a more precise assessment of the poverty threshold.

The planned review of the poverty metrics comes after the NEDA admitted that the daily food poverty threshold of P63.87 per person a day is insufficient.

Poverty incidence in the country declined to 15.5 percent in 2023 from 18.1 percent in 2021, according to government data.

The NEDA has assured the public of the Marcos administration's resolve to address the root causes of poverty, despite the decline in poverty rate in 2023.

Santos said the government remains "on track" to achieve its goal of reaching a single-digit poverty rate by 2028.

He said there is a budget allocation of P616 billion for the implementation of poverty reduction programs. (PNA)