Fewer Families Identify as Poor, Signaling Progress
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) welcomed recent survey results showing fewer families identify as poor. The Social Weather Stations (SWS) data from April reveals a positive shift, confirming that the government’s anti-poverty programs are making an impact.
DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao described the findings as a promising sign of the government’s ongoing efforts to reduce poverty. “This also shows the effectiveness of the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) insofar as helping the poor attain the level of self-sufficiency while providing them with the necessary interventions to ensure that they will not slide back to poverty,” she explained.
4Ps Program Boosts Self-Sufficiency Among Poor Families
The 4Ps program remains the cornerstone of the government’s strategy to break the cycle of poverty. It supports beneficiary households by offering grants for education and health while requiring monthly family development sessions. This approach intends to empower families, helping them rise above poverty sustainably.
Dumlao also highlighted the Marcos Administration’s whole-of-nation strategy as a key factor driving the positive change. This comprehensive approach brings together agencies and local governments to address poverty holistically.
Disaster Response Efforts Cushion Poverty Impact
Another critical element contributing to the decline in poverty is the government’s swift disaster response. “Disasters exacerbate poverty. So if their needs are immediately provided during typhoons, floods, and other calamities, the impact on the poor is cushioned and we prevent them from becoming poorer,” Dumlao said.
Survey Shows Drop in Families Identifying as Poor
The SWS survey, conducted from April 23 to 28, found that 50 percent of Filipino families, or roughly 14.1 million households, considered themselves poor. This marks a five-point decrease from the 55 percent (about 15.5 million families) recorded in the previous survey conducted earlier in April.
As of April 30, a total of 860,471 beneficiary households have graduated from the 4Ps program. These families are deemed self-sufficient based on social welfare indicators and have met the criteria to exit the program, often before reaching the seven-year maximum stay.
The data underscores the steady progress in poverty reduction, reflecting the combined efforts of government programs and disaster preparedness. For more news and updates on poverty reduction, visit Filipinokami.com.
