Poverty statistics 2015

Recently released by the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA) are the Official Poverty Statistics for the first half of 2015 which drew its conclusions from the Family and Expenditure Survey. I shall only report on data/estimates provided by Table 1, covering “First Semester Per Capita Threshold and Poverty Incidence Among Families By Region and Province,” (in Philippine pesos) compared to 2009 and 2012. I shall also report only on data classified by region and not delve into each province. For further and deeper information, may I refer the full report of PSA which covers 14 tables and comprises 38 pages.

For the Philippines the per capita poverty threshold in semester one, 2015, was at R10, 969 reflecting an improvement from R8,448 in 2009 and R9,385 in 2012. These showed that poverty incidence among Filipino families were at 21.1%, 22.9%, and 22.3% in those years, showing some improvement, albeit small, and augurs well for the future.

By region, over the same comparable periods, the statistics reflect per capita poverty thresholds as follows:

National Capital Region (which covers four districts): 2015 – R12,537; 2012 – R10,084; 2009 – R10,084, reflecting some deterioration in poverty incidence over the 2009-2015 period at 3.7%, 3.8%, and 4.5%.

CAR (which covers Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province): 2015 – R11,017; 2012 – R9,734; and 2009 – R8,492. Poverty incidence fell from 22.7% and 22.6% to 20.6% from 2009 to 2015 with the increased peso value per family.

Region I (Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan): 2015 – R10,364; 2012 – R9,224; 2009 – R8,729 – reflecting poverty incidence in 2015 at 17.2%; in 2012 at 16.7%; and in 2009 at 18.5%., improving in 2012 but moving back in 2015.

Region II (Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino): 2015 – R11,116; 2012 - R9,503; and 2009 – R8,566; poverty incidence, respectively at 16.5%, 19.8% and 22.3%, marking several years of improved family income.

Region III (Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales): 2015 – R11,567; 2012 – R10,211; 2009- R9251. Poverty incidence, respectively: 13.0%, 12.2%, 12.5%, a mixed result.

Region IVA (Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal): 2015 –R11,250; 2012 – R9,601; 2009 – 8,481. Poverty incidence, respectively: 10.4%, 11.2%, and 10.8% also a mixed result.

Region IVB (Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon): 2015 – R10,097; 2012 – R8,527; 2009 – R7,751. Poverty incidence respectively: 22.0%, 28.4%, and 30.6%. This reflects an improvement in poverty incidence among families.

Region V (Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon): 2015 – R10,940; 2012 – R9,022; 2009 – R8,420. Poverty incidence: 30.9%, 34.1%, 36.5%, showing some improvement in families’ ability to meet their needs accordingly with increased peso threshold.

Region VI (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental): 2015 – R10,738; 2012 – R8,957; 2009 – R8,153. Poverty incidence: 24.2%, 24.7%, and 26.7%, an improvement since 2009.

Region VII (Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor): 2015 – R10,910; 2012 – R9,296; 2009 – R8,648. Poverty incidence improved – 27.0%, 28.8%, 31.6%.

Region VIII (Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Southern Leyte, Western Samar): 2015 – R11,102; 2012 – R8,989; 2009 – R8,107. Poverty incidence, 39.3%, 37.2%, 36.2%, reflecting serious deterioration which needs addressing.

Region IX (Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Isabela City): 2015 – R10,338; 2012 – R8,881; 2009 – R8,053. Poverty incidence: 30.9%, 36.9%, 41.5%, reflecting marked improvement.

Region X (Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental): 2015 – R11,257; 2012 – R9,604; 2009 – R8,456. Poverty incidence improved in the last year as indicated: 34.9%, 35.6%, 35.4%

Region XI (Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley): 2015 – R11,319; 2012 – R9,927; 2009 – R8,547. Poverty incidence: 20.5%, 28.6%, 27.3%, reflecting substantial improvement from the previous years considered.

Region XII (Northern Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato City): 2015 – R10,488; 2012 – R9,243; 2009 – R8,126. Poverty incidence: 37.4%, 37.5%, 31.1%, which shows a marked deterioration in families’ ability to meet their needs.

Caraga (Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur): 2015 – R11,237; 2012 – R9,779; 2009 – R8,905. Poverty incidence: 35.3% 34.1%, 43.3%, showing marked improvement from earliest comparable year.

ARMM (Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi): 2015 – R10,563; 2012 – R10,027; 2009 – R8,257. Poverty incidence: 53.4%, 46.9%, 42.0%. These figures reflect a serious deterioration in the lives of families in the ARMM region, and must forthwith be addressed to deflect growing disenchantment among our Muslim brothers.

My observation on the foregoing data is that while in all instances there have been increases in the poverty threshold, i.e., a higher threshold says that a family feels less poor than the previous period, the mixed statistics on poverty incidence tells me that the effect of inflation on family income and/or the lack of goods and services or in some instances peace and order problems in other regions had not been taken into account in the vaunted improvement in poverty by the previous administration. While quite a few regions reflect improvements in poverty incidence, a lot have sadly been deteriorating, and needs to be addressed seriously by the new administration. It’s time to take stock, and move away from previous blamethrowing. That over-all economic growth has indeed been shown, the unfortunate fact is that this growth had not been inclusive.

According to NEDA, eradicating poverty in less than 25 years would entail tripling the income of Filipinos to significantly narrow the gap between the rich and the poor. It is necessary to roll out equality reducing strategies and raise by threefold the current per capita income of $3,500 to approximate the current per capita income of Malaysia which is at $11,120.

Hopefully the deteriorating trend in poverty incidence is reversed in the next six years, with government prioritizing agricultural development, housing, transport and communication. However it must be emphasized that every Filipino must show responsible citizenship, and work shoulder to shoulder with the government and not sit back expecting such inclusive growth to fall like manna from heaven.

merci.suleik@gmail.com