The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) on Wednesday touted progress in the government’s poverty reduction efforts, citing a drop in poverty and the rollout of over PHP600 billion in anti-poverty programs in 2024.

In a ‘Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon’ interview over PTV, NAPC Secretary Lope Santos III cited data from the family income and expenditure survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showing a decline in “food poor” population, or subsistence incidence, from 5.9 percent in 2021 to 4.3 percent in 2023.

In addition, a survey by the National Nutrition Council showed a decrease in incidents of underweight and stunting.

“Mayroong impact ang ating mga programa laban sa mga kagutuman, particularly itong mga nutrition at saka feeding programs (Our programs have an impact against hunger, particularly nutrition and feeding programs),” Santos said.

He said the March survey showing that 27 percent of Filipino families –mostly from Visayas and Metro Manila — experienced hunger was based on the perception of a sample population at a single point in time.

“Subalit ang mga opisyal na datos ay nagsasabi ng ibang direksiyon (But the official data does show a different direction),” he said.

The government’s National Poverty Reduction Plan, he said, relies on collaboration between 27 national government agencies and local governments.

“Nakapagtala tayo ng mahigit PHP600 billion worth of projects noong 2024 at mas malaki pa iyong nakatala ngayong 2025 (We logged over PHP600 billion worth of projects in 2024 and we plan on spending even more in 2025),” he said.

Some of the biggest initiatives include the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) ‘Walang Gutom’ food aid and sustainable livelihood programs, the Department of Education’s (DepEd) school-based feeding for undernourished children, the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) PHP30-million support for farmers, fishers, and urban agriculture, and the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) job creation and skills training programs.

Aside from national government programs, he underscored the role of local governments in tailoring solutions, particularly in high-poverty areas like Eastern Visayas.

The NAPC has signed agreements with leagues of provinces, cities, and barangays to align national programs with community needs.

He said agriculture is the priority of the Marcos administration, and boosting farm productivity and affordability will be the government’s foundation for long-term poverty reduction. (PNA)