The socio-economic sector of the Philippines has been a major concern of the country

through decades, or even centuries. The unceasing poverty has always been present as
society’s top issue, which seems to have no remedy at all. The Philippines, considered as a third
world country, has millions of citizens that struggle to afford the basic necessities. Based on the
official poverty statistics of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the poverty incidence among
Filipinos rose to 23.7% in the first semester of 2021—equivalent to 26.1 million Filipinos. This
huge number is a clear indication that many Filipino people are struggling to live. It is poverty
the root-cause to other issues faced by the society today. The insufficiency of income and
resources among these people gives birth to the heart-breaking maladies in the country.
Among Filipino citizens, there are millions living below the poverty line, even before the
strike of pandemic. Low household income became the main reason for many families not to
afford the needs for daily living. Based on the same source, a family of five now needs at least
P12,082 to meet the most basic food and non-food needs, 14.7% higher than the monthly
average of P10,532 in 2018. The lack of proper work and employment makes it difficult to
generate enough income to sustain household needs. Since many Filipinos are dependent on
agricultural means such as farming or farm labouring, construction works, driving of jeepney
and the like, it is with no doubt that for them, making money is never easy and it requires a
great deal of effort and hard work.
Although it is painful to admit, persons living under poverty situations have no financial
security given that they have poor livelihood and less-than-minimum wages. The budget for
daily expenses is strictly allocated for essential needs to survive the day. In other words, ‘isang
kahig, isang tuka’, conveying the idea that poor Filipinos, who struggle with poverty, have to
"scratch and peck", almost literally, to earn a living. Without financial sustainability, poor
Filipino families have difficulties in terms of access to healthcare, educational pursuit, and food
security. For these reasons, poverty could last for decades and be passed for generation to
generation, making it hard to eliminate.
Having said that poverty is a problem in the country, it is with no doubt that it brings
stress to the citizens especially among those in poverty situation. As a stressor, poverty inflicts
adverse effects on stability of person’s mental health. Poverty limit and suppress opportunities
for progress and development. The struggle accompanied with poor status of living is the key
factor that is also linked with the country’s issues on malnutrition, low educational attainment,
and even crime rates. Some people would resort to what is called ‘kapit sa patalim’ only to
provide basic family necessities. Being in poverty situation, the way of thinking and attitude of
people is focused on how they would survive on a daily basis. In extent, some are preoccupied
with a thinking that they can no longer surpass the situation of poverty which leads to mental
illness such as anxiety and depression, even resulting to suicide.
Even though the government implement programs to address poverty—e.g. financial
assistance such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)—it is still not enough to
eliminate poverty completely. There should be a joint and collective effort between the
government and citizens especially those who belong to the poverty sector. Persons living
under poverty situation must come to realize that their fate is in their hands, so as to escape
poverty. They should instil in their minds that overcoming the poor quality of living requires
strategic efforts. Collaboratively, the government should devise effective measures that would
help Filipino families achieve comfortable life by harnessing skills and capitalising on livelihood
that would ensure sustainability.
It may seem impossible to stop poverty in the country, still, there are ways to reduce its
increasing rate. It is only a matter of setting a right mind and a strategic plan to reach
productivity for better life.