4 Million Filipinos Grew Poorer Between 2003 and 2006, Say Gov’t Data

The National Statistical Coordination Board issued a press release today saying that poverty incidence in the Philippines increased to 26.9 percent for families in 2006 compared to 24.4 percent in 2003. The new statistics seem to belie the government’s line that it has been addressing poverty and that the economy has improved.

Below is the NSCB’s press release:

Poverty worsens between 2003 and 2006
(PR-200803-SS2-02, Posted 05 March 2008)

Poverty incidence increased to 26.9% for families in 2006 compared to 24.4% in 2003. This is however lower than the 27.5 % poverty incidence in 2000.

In terms of poverty incidence among population, out of 100 Filipinos, 33 were poor in 2006, compared to 30 in 2003.

Filipino family of five needed PhP 6,274 monthly income in 2006 to stay out of poverty

In 2006, a Filipino family comprising of five members needed a monthly income of PhP4,177 to be able to sustain their family’s minimum basic food needs, an increase of 23% from 2003.

To be able to provide for both food and nonfood basic requirements, a family of five needed PhP 6,274 monthly income in 2006, an increase of more than 22% from 2003.

In the National Capital Region, the annual per capita poverty threshold was estimated to be PhP 20,566 in 2006. Hence, a family with five members needed to earn at least PhP 8,569 monthly in order not to be classified as poor.