By Jose Cielito Reganit | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) believes the historic drop in poverty incidence to 9.7% is an affirmation of the impact of the Marcos Jr. administration’s flagship programs to help poor Filipino families like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Based on the 2025 Full-Year Poverty Statistics released by the Philippine Statistics Authority, the poverty incidence among the population is now at a record-low of 9.7% from 15.5% in 2023.
Data showed that 6.5 million Filipinos were lifted out of poverty between 2023 and 2025.
“This is a positive development and an affirmation that the whole-of-government strategy to address poverty alleviation is working, especially through the flagship programs like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. We also take this historic achievement as proof that what we are doing in implementing our programs is working to help the poor and vulnerable sectors,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in a news release Friday.
She welcomed the poverty statistics report as an achievement for DSWD and the government’s single-digit target under the Philippine Development Plan, three years ahead of schedule.
“The report shows the fruits of the collaboration between the national government, local government, private sector, and the Filipino people towards building a brighter future. Ikinatutuwa din ito ng DSWD, at nangangako kaming mas pagbubutihin pa ang pagbibigay serbisyo para sa ating mga benepisyaryo,” Asec. Dumlao said.
Aside from 4Ps, the DSWD continues to implement programs such as the Walang Gutom Program, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, Sustainable Livelihood Program, and other social protection interventions aimed at addressing the immediate and long-term needs of poor and vulnerable Filipinos.
“Alinsunod sa utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., patuloy pang pinaparami ng DSWD ang mga oportunidad sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino para sa kanilang development, magkaroon sila ng trabaho o di kaya ay hanap-buhay at magka access sa iba’t-ibang programa ng gobyerno,” she said.
