Gadon Claims Poverty in the Philippines is “Imaginary,” Cites Economic Indicators
PHOTO: Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Secretary Larry Gadon. File photo Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Secretary Larry Gadon made headlines on Friday by asserting that poverty in the Philippines is merely "imaginary." In…
PHOTO: Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Secretary Larry Gadon. File photo
Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Secretary Larry Gadon made headlines on Friday by asserting that poverty in the Philippines is merely "imaginary." In an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, Gadon pointed to a decreasing poverty rate and visible economic activities as evidence of his claim.
Gadon's Perspective on Poverty
Gadon argued that the perception of widespread poverty is unfounded. "Sa totoo lang 'yang mga nagsasabi na napakahirap ng buhay ngayon ay sila lang ang nagsasabi niyan, haka-haka lang nila 'yan," he stated. This translates to, "Actually, those who say that life is very hard today are the only ones saying that, they are only imagining it."
To support his argument, Gadon cited the high volume of people frequenting shopping malls and fast food chains, as well as the number of new cars on the roads. According to him, these indicators reflect strong purchasing power among Filipinos. "Pero ang katotohanan, magpunta ka sa mga mall, punong-puno. Pumunta ka kahit sa mga probinsya, yung mga branches ng [fast food chains], punong-puno. Ibig sabihin, mataas ang purchasing power ng mga Pilipino," he said. "Lumabas ka ng kalsada, napakaraming bagong kotse, napaka-traffic. Anong ibig sabihin niyan? Maraming nakakabili ng kotse, which means maganda ang ekonomiya."
Poverty Rate Data
Gadon noted that the poverty rate has decreased from 24.7% in 2023 to 23.4% this year, although he did not specify the source of this data. He claimed a 1.3% decline in the poverty rate, equating to 11 million Filipinos moving out of poverty. This improvement, he attributed to the post-pandemic economic reopening, an increase in the gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter, and a rise in the employment rate.
Available data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shows a decline in the poverty rate to 22.4% in the first half of 2023, down from 23.7% in the same period in 2021. However, data for the entire year of 2023 has not yet been released.
Employment Rate Context
While Gadon highlighted an increase in employment, PSA data reveals some complexities. The number of unemployed Filipinos rose to 2 million in March 2024, resulting in an unemployment rate of 3.9%. This rise is partly due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon and the African swine fever (ASF) on the agricultural sector. In March 2024, employed persons numbered 49.15 million, translating to an employment rate of 96.1%. This compares with 48.95 million employed in February 2024 (96.5% employment rate) and 48.58 million in March 2023 (95.3% employment rate).
Government's Poverty Reduction Goal
In his first State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. set an ambitious target to reduce the poverty rate to a single-digit figure, or 9%, by the end of his term in 2028. This goal underscores the administration's commitment to addressing poverty, despite Gadon's recent controversial remarks.
Conclusion
Secretary Larry Gadon's assertion that poverty in the Philippines is "imaginary" has sparked debate, particularly given the complexities of economic indicators. While crowded malls and an increase in new cars suggest some economic vitality, the broader context of employment and poverty rates paints a more nuanced picture. As the government aims to achieve a significant reduction in poverty by 2028, it remains crucial to address the underlying issues affecting the livelihoods of many Filipinos.
No comments:
Post a Comment