Poverty remains a significant challenge in the Philippines, affecting millions of people

across the country. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the poverty incidence in the
country was estimated at 16.7% in 2018, which translates to around 17.6 million Filipinos living
below the poverty line1. Based on the Preliminary Results of the Family Income and Expenditure
Survey (FIES) in 2021, poverty incidence among population, defined as the proportion of
Filipinos whose per capita income cannot sufficiently meet the individual basic food and non-
food needs, was recorded at 18.1 percent. This translates to around 19.99 million Filipinos who
lived below the poverty threshold of about   Php 12,030 per month for a family of five. The
subsistence incidence, defined as the proportion of Filipinos whose income is not enough to meet
even just the basic food needs, slightly increased to 5.9 percent in 2021. It was estimated that a
family of five needs at least Php 8,379 per month to meet their basic food requirements2.

One of the main drivers of poverty in the Philippines is income inequality. The gap
between the rich and poor remains wide, with a small percentage of the population controlling a
significant portion of the country's wealth. This has resulted in limited access to basic services,
such as education, healthcare, and housing, for those living in poverty. Another significant factor
contributing to poverty in the Philippines is the lack of employment opportunities, particularly in
rural areas. Many Filipinos work in the informal sector, where wages are low and job security is
limited. Additionally, the agricultural sector, which employs a significant portion of the
population, is often affected by natural disasters, such as typhoons and droughts, which can
devastate crops and livelihoods. Access to basic services, such as education and healthcare, is
also limited in many parts of the country, particularly in rural areas. This can perpetuate the cycle
of poverty, as individuals who lack access to education and healthcare are often unable to secure
better-paying jobs and improve their economic prospects. The Philippine government has
implemented several programs and initiatives to address poverty in the country, including the
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program3, a conditional cash transfer program aimed at providing
support to the poorest households, and the Universal Health Care Law, which aims to provide
access to quality healthcare for all Filipinos. However, much more needs to be done to address
the root causes of poverty and promote inclusive economic growth in the country. Countryside
development initiatives can play a crucial role in improving the quality of life of rural people by
reducing poverty and providing access to better economic opportunities, education, healthcare,
and infrastructure.

Addressing poverty in the Philippines requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond
providing financial support. Here are some strategies that can be implemented to address poverty
in the country without giving direct financial support:

1. Education: Providing access to quality education is one of the most effective ways to help
individuals and families escape poverty. This can be achieved by investing in education
infrastructure and providing scholarships and other forms of support to students from
low-income families.

2. Job creation: One important aspect of countryside development is the promotion of rural
employment and income-generating activities. This can be achieved through investment
in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and forestry, as well as the development of rural
industries and services. These initiatives can create jobs and improve the income and
livelihoods of rural people, which can help to reduce poverty and improve their quality of
life. Creating more job opportunities, particularly in rural areas, can help reduce poverty
by increasing incomes and improving economic prospects. Government and other
stakeholders can invest in job training, entrepreneurship programs, and support for small
and medium-sized enterprises to create more employment opportunities

3. Infrastructure development: Investing in infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and

utilities, can help stimulate economic activity and improve access to markets, goods, and
services, particularly in rural areas.

4. Healthcare: Access to quality healthcare can help individuals stay healthy and productive,
reducing the likelihood of poverty caused by illness or disability. Governments and other
stakeholders can invest in healthcare infrastructure and programs to ensure that everyone
has access to affordable and effective healthcare.
 5. Empowering women4: Empowering women and girls through education, access to
healthcare, and economic opportunities can help break the cycle of poverty and promote
gender equality. This can be achieved through policies that address gender discrimination
and support women's entrepreneurship and leadership.

6. Environmental conservation: Protecting the environment through sustainable agriculture,

forestry, and fisheries practices can help reduce poverty by ensuring that natural
resources are available for future generations. This can be achieved through policies that
promote sustainable development and protect natural resources.

In conclusion, countryside development initiatives can have a significant impact on

improving the quality of life of rural people and addressing poverty in the Philippines requires a
comprehensive approach that goes beyond providing financial support. By investing in
education, job creation, infrastructure development, healthcare, empowering women,
environmental conservation, and involves the active participation and engagement of local
people and organizations, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable society that benefits all
Filipinos.

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1
https://psa.gov.ph/psa-press-release-tags/2018-full-year-poverty-statistics
2
https://psa.gov.ph/poverty-press-releases/nid/167972
3
https://pantawid.dswd.gov.ph/about/
4
https://pcw.gov.ph/gewe-plan/