DSWD sees decline in poor Filipinos

THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday said it expects the number of hungry and poor Filipinos to decrease in the coming months through its employment, social welfare, and conditional-cash transfer programs this year.

This comes after the Social Welfare Stations (SWS) published a March poll showing at 52% increase to self-rated poverty and hunger among Filipino families.

“We are optimistic that conditions will improve further in terms of reducing poverty and hunger incidence in our country,” DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene B. Dumlao told a Palace briefing.

“We capacitate beneficiaries to either engage in thriving livelihood activities or find employment. This proves that the government’s initiatives are effective.”

Based on the SWS survey, conducted on March 15- 30, about 14.4 million Filipinos rated themselves as poor, while 27.2% said they experience involuntary hunger during the period.

“The DSWD is committed to contributing towards achieving President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s goal of reducing poverty incidence to single digits by 2028,” Ms. Dumlao said.

The official added that the agency is studying an increase in the current P3,000 monthly food credits given to beneficiaries of the Walang Gutom Program anti-hunger program, citing the need to determine whether this is still enough for Filipino households.

“This is one of the aspects being examined to determine whether the amount they receive is still appropriate in addressing family gaps,” the DSWD official said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez