By Rowena Cruz PSA-Quezon Provincial Statistics Officer Airene A. Pucyutan (left) guested on the Kapihan sa PIA program hosted by Informatio...
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| PSA-Quezon Provincial Statistics Officer Airene A. Pucyutan (left) guested on the Kapihan sa PIA program hosted by Information Officer Ruel M. Orinday (right) of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Quezon on February 12, 2025. (PSA Quezon) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon Province – This region has achieved a significant reduction in poverty, demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted initiatives and community resilience. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released data on March 3, 2025, showcasing the substantial improvement in living conditions between 2021 and 2023.
In recent PSA data reveals that poverty incidence among families has decreased from 16.3 percent in 2021 to 6.9 percent in 2023. This translates to a notable reduction, with the number of poor families dropping from 89,040 to 39,010. This means approximately 50,030 families have been lifted out of poverty within this two-year period.
On an individual level, poverty incidence has declined from 21.6 percent (493,000 people) in 2021 to 10.2 percent (237,700 people) in 2023. This represents a reduction of 255,300 individuals classified as poor.
The PSA poverty statistics also indicate that in 2023, a family of five in Quezon required at least ₱12,108 per month to meet their minimum basic food and non-food needs. The PSA emphasized that these figures suggest a recovery of Filipino families from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including job losses that impacted household incomes.
Furthermore, the PSA notes that various factors influence poverty levels, including inflation, employment opportunities, and household income. Emerose Dalwampo, PSA Quezon’s Statistical Specialist, highlighted the contribution of government programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, TUPAD, and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Calabarzon welcomed the positive development, acknowledging the support their programs have provided to Quezon families. DSWD Region IV-A Regional Information Officer Joseph Arceo did not directly attribute the decline solely to DSWD’s social protection programs, but he acknowledged their contribution.
He stated, “We cannot assess exactly how much we have contributed at this moment due to lack of baseline data. However, we like to believe that every time we serve, we help meet the needs of our beneficiaries, allowing them to function normally and contribute to the economy.” As of November 2024, 94,629 families are enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), with 20,058 now classified as self-sufficient.
Since 2021, 14,172 families have graduated from the program. The DSWD continues to implement the Sustainable Livelihood Program, which aims to assist low-income communities in achieving stable livelihoods and improving their quality of life.
The significant reduction in poverty within Quezon Province underscores the importance of targeted government intervention and the resilience of local communities in the face of economic challenges. The success of programs like 4Ps and TUPAD suggests that a multi-faceted approach, combining direct financial assistance with livelihood support, can effectively lift families out of poverty.
Analysis of the data will be crucial in identifying the specific factors that contributed most to this decline. This will allow for the refinement and replication of successful strategies in other regions. It is also important to recognize that while the numbers show a positive trend, continued focus on sustainable economic growth and social development will be necessary to ensure long-term poverty reduction.
The ongoing implementation of DSWD's programs, coupled with local government initiatives, will play a vital role in maintaining this momentum and addressing the remaining challenges faced by vulnerable populations in Quezon Province.
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