Ikinalugod ng Malacañang ang pagbaba ng self-rated poverty at food poverty, ayon sa survey na inilabas ng Social Weather Stations (SWS), nagpahayag na bahala na ang susunod na administrasyon sa pagtitiyak na patuloy na maiibsan ang kahirapan.
“We welcome the most recent survey results released by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), which put both self-rated poverty and food poverty rates at multi-year lows,” sabi ni Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.
“Now, with the world’s eyes on the Philippines, it is up to the next administration to ensure that our remarkable growth story continues—toward even greater success for the country and even better opportunities for the Filipino,” aniya.
Binanggit ni Lacierda na sa anim na taong termino ni Pangulong Aquino, pinagtuunan ng administrasyon ang “sustainable and equitable progress,” sa pamumuhunan sa mga larangan ng kalusugan, edukasyon, imprastraktura, at job skills development.
Ayon sa opisyal ng Palasyo, nakatulong din ang Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program sa pag-angat sa milyun-milyong Pilipino mula sa kahirapan.
Batay sa huling SWS na isinagawa mula Marso 30 hanggang Abril 2, 2016, bumaba ang self-rated poverty mula 50 porsiyento noong Disyembre ng nakaraang taon sa 46 na porsiyento nitong Abril ngayong taon.
Sinabi ni Lacierda na ito ay katumbas ng tinatayang 700,000 pamilya na hindi na nabubuhay sa kahirapan.
“This percentage is the lowest recorded in over four years, since December 2011. It reflects declining quarterly rates noted in all regions except Mindanao, with self-rated poverty falling by 14 points in Visayas and by 7 points in Metro Manila. At 53 percent, even the poverty rate for Mindanao has fallen considerably compared to the 63 percent full-year average for 2015,” sabi ni Lacierda. (CZARINA NICOLE O. ONG)