While Laguna province has marked a steady improvement in its poverty index, the fact remains that it still has the highest share of poor families in Calabarzon.
These were the sobering facts presented during the 2023 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics held by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) last Friday, October 4.
Among other data, PSA officials noted that Laguna province ranked third among the five provinces in the Calabarzon region regarding poverty incidence.
Quezon reported the highest poverty incidence at 10.2 percent; followed by Rizal at 8.5 percent; Laguna at 7.9 percent; Batangas at 7.6 percent; and Cavite at 6.7 percent.
However, Laguna province has the largest share of poor families at 24 percent; followed by Cavite at 22 percent; Rizal at 19.4 percent; Batangas at 17.4 percent; and Quezon at 17.2 percent.
On a positive note, Charity Bautista, Officer-in-Charge of the Statistical Operations and Coordination Division, said poverty incidence in the region declined from 10.2 percent in 2021 (or 102 out of 1,000 residents) to 7.9 percent (or 79 out of every 1,000 residents) in 2023.
The total number of poor individuals in the region also dropped by 331,310, from 1,676,350 in 2021 to 1,345,040 in 2023.
Meanwhile, Laguna also ranked third in the poverty threshold, or the minimum monthly income required to cover basic food and non-food needs for a family of five.
Among the provinces, Cavite has the highest threshold at P17,399; followed by Rizal at P16,273; Laguna at P16,038; Batangas at P14,742; and Quezon at P12,108. The median poverty threshold in the region stood at P15,457.
“The records reflect a decline in poverty incidence in the region post-pandemic. With more job opportunities available, we can anticipate further reductions as individuals gain the capacity to meet their basic needs,” PSA-4A Regional Director Charito Armonia said.
(With report from PNA/OpinYon News Team)
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