BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The National Economic Development Authority-Cordillera (NEDA-CAR) assured that together with all stakeholders, they are ramping efforts to end poverty in the region.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-CAR reported on Oct. 16, 2024 that poverty incidence among families in Cordillera declined to 4.4 percent in 2023 from 6.9 percent in 2021. The poverty incidence among the population was also down to 7.0 percent in 2023 from 9.9 percent in 2021, making CAR with the second lowest poverty incidence among the regions in the country.
NEDA-CAR Regional Director Susan Sumbeling, in her message delivered by Assistant Regional Director Apollo Edwin Pagano, said that through the collaboration of all stakeholders, they will “build on the gains in 2023 to ensure that the multi-faceted and complex issues of poverty are addressed for the welfare of our fellow Cordillerans.”
Sumbeling said that they will be resolute to ensure that poverty is ended in all its forms such as in health and nutrition, education, shelter, and disaster vulnerabilities.
Implementation of social protection programs and services will also be sustained.
“Access to basic services by the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable groups such as women, children, and elderly will be sustained,” Sumbeling said.
She added that the region’s physical connectivity infrastructure will be improved to provide access to health and education facilities, markets for local produce and production inputs.
“Implementation of environment protection and climate-change adaptation programs will likewise be intensified,” she said.
Meanwhile, the PSA calls for continuous collaboration with various stakeholders to bring about positive change and end or reduce poverty in the Cordillera.
“The PSA looks forward to a continuous strong partnership with our stakeholders as we work together in achieving our shared goals of ending or reducing poverty in the Cordillera Administrative Region,” PSA Deputy National Statistician Divina Gracia Del Prado said. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)
