RH law impact in cutting poverty to be visible by 2018 — NEDA
EMPLOYMENT growth resulting from the full implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) law will help reduce poverty incidence significantly, the government’s chief economic planner said
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia told reporters in a briefing that “After five years, with full implementation of RPRH law, the population will be smaller by 3- 5 million. This can translate to poverty reduction. With the full implementation of the RPRH, a 12% (poverty reduction is) achievable, but is not likely to be fully implemented next year because of lag in starting up.”
Mr. Pernia said that only by 2018 can the law be fully implemented and by the end of the President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s term, poverty incidence will be reduced to 13-15%.
“So by the end of the president’s term, poverty incidence could be reduced by 13-15%, should be easy, by 2022.” Mr. Pernia said.
He also added that this is not yet the official target by the government but is in the neighborhood of the poverty incidence target than will be included in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP).
“It is official in the sense that it is reflected in the PDP. Not an offi cial target, only in the sense of the PDP… but we’re considering a target of poverty incidence for the whole population of 15-20% by 2022.”
Mr. Pernia, also the Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the fully-implemented RH law will render 40% of the population’s poorest mothers capable of working, helping them achieve the desired family size which is about three instead of the actual five or six.
“Women unburdened with too many pregnancies can be engaged in training programs or continue education; they become productive members of the labor force… instead of just staying at home and taking care of children.”
With more of the poor joining the work force, “the target of 1.5% reduction of poverty incidence per year is very achievable,” added Mr. Pernia. —