As 55 percent feel poor; Pacquiao, Tiu Laurel talk

As more than half of Filipino families considered themselves poor in September, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Manny Pacquiao and Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. discussed expanding government livelihood assistance.

Self-rated poverty rose to 55 percent in September from 49 percent in June, equivalent to an estimated 16.8 million families. Self-rated food poverty also climbed, reaching 44 percent from 36 percent, or about 13.3 million families, the SWS survey found.

The figures were released days before Saturday’s observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and the National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty, marked with a ceremony at Rizal Park in Manila.

Pacquiao said his discussions with Tiu Laurel focused on coordinating their agencies’ programs to improve agricultural productivity and provide sustainable livelihoods, particularly for farmers and fisherfolk.

“We discussed how we can provide sustainable livelihoods for the poor, especially our farmers. Irrigation is one of the things we talked about,” Pacquiao said.

Tiu Laurel said the partnership would support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for government agencies to coordinate efforts to address poverty.

Housing, too

“We’re so happy to have Sec. Manny as part of the Cabinet,” Tiu Laurel said, adding that the agencies would work to improve assistance for farmers, fisherfolk and livestock raisers.

Under the proposed arrangement, Pacquiao would help bring Department of Agriculture programs to poor communities, including urban areas. Tiu Laurel also said Pacquiao would join him in field activities, including livestock distribution.

“Instead of just one person going around, now there are two or even three Cabinet members,” Tiu Laurel said.

During the poverty observance, Pacquiao said he wanted to strengthen government programs for poor families, including housing assistance for those unable to buy or rent homes and support for people struggling to afford education.

The SWS survey was conducted from 21 to 27 September through face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adults nationwide. Self-rated poverty measures how families perceive their own economic circumstances, rather than the government’s official poverty rate.