900k Pinoys lifted from poverty – PSA
By J.Lo
"We are happy for 900,000 of our countrymen whose situation has improved…we will continue to help more than 25 million get out of poverty through intervention programs Congress, principally House where national budget emanates, should consistently fund," Speaker Martin Romualdez said approximately 900,000 people have been lifted from poverty based on latest Philippine Statistics Authority report showed poverty incidence dropping to 22.4 percent in first half of 2023 from 23.7 percent in the same period two years ago.
According to PSA, 22.4-percent rate translated to about 25.24 million Filipinos, while 1.3-percentage-point drop simply meant almost 900,000 people have lifted themselves from poverty and have now reached middle-class status.
Romualdez, in statement, gave assurance that House of Representatives would continue pursuing and funding programs of President Ferdinnd Marcos Jr. intended to improve lives of millions of poor Filipinos.
To complement such programs, Romualdez said House members and other lawmakers and local government officials, individually or collectively, undertake their own assistance projects that benefit their constituents.
"We hope we can reduce poverty to single-digit rate by end President Ferdinand Marcos term as he has set out to do when he assumed presidency," Romualdez said.
Chief Executive wants poverty level, pegged in 2019 at 18 percent, cut to eight percent before 2028.
Romualdez,cited 4Ps, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers), free college education, free health insurance and grant of direct cash subsidies as among government intervention measures.
He said House has chosen to exercise its oversight power as needed to bring down price of rice and other staples to affordable levels by fighting inflation, smuggling, hoarding, price manipulation and similar abusive practices.
Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte cited Romualdez for steering through House swift passage of government's priority legislative measures designed to sustain robust post-pandemic growth, create more jobs and livelihood opportunities and improve lives of Filipinos.
He said substantial number of new laws and proposed legislation acted upon by chamber halfway through this legislative session is Christmas gift of the Speaker and House members to Filipino people.
"Speaker Martin has traced superb performance of House of Representatives this year to continued unity and cooperation of all of us in bigger chamber in serving highest interest of Filipino people, but the Speaker has looked past something in his recap, and this has to do with remarkable role he has played in shepherding passage of fairly large number of priority bills identified by the President and LEDAC for urgent action, This record accomplishment marks the Christmas gift of the House under the Speaker's leadership to our people, " Villafuerte, president of National Unity Party, said.
LEDAC refers to Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, consultative body created under Republic Act 7640 in 1992 to draw up with, and recommend to, the President socio-economic development goals, including helping identify priority legislative measures for Congress to pass in support of these objectives.
"House has been productive and efficient more than ever, passing in record time most of the priority measures endorsed by President Marcos in his SONA ,State of the Nation Address and by LEDAC, under very able leadership of the Speaker, House has passed sizable number of proposed laws meant to bring Marcos administration closer to the President's paramount goal of high and inclusive growth for Filipinos by way of accelerating poverty reduction, turbocharging economy and generating more and better jobs and livelihood opportunities for all," Villafuerte said.
Meanwhile, FMJ vowed to consider plight of Filipinos when crafting policies in online post sought to highlight government's accomplishments and programs.
"This is our promise in every step we take, plight of every Filipino will be in our minds and hearts to achieve new Philippines we aspire for. Merry Christmas, happy new Philippines to all of us," FMJ said in Facebook.
FMJ post contained nearly-four-minute-video featuring programs of his administration as well as changes took place after COVID-19 pandemic.
Narrated by boy who talked about his family's hardships during health crisis, video mentioned government's electrification efforts, resumption of onsite classes, giving of free seeds to farmers affected by typhoons, establishment of Kadiwa outlets that sell lower-priced goods, fixing of bus routes and opening of new factories.
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