Friday, December 19, 2008 Arroyo: Poverty went down
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Thursday that the seven-point reduction in the self-rated poverty rate based on the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey in September 24-27 was the lowest since the Marcos years.
This was due tough measures that took their toll on her popularity rating.
Arroyo, in an interview over Bombo Radyo-General Santos, said poverty went down despite the global economic crisis.
The SWS survey showed the self-rated poverty rating dropping from 59 percent or 10.6 million families in the second quarter to 52 percent or 9.4 million families in the third quarter.
The self-rated food poverty rate also dropped from 49 percent or 8.8 million families to 38 percent or 6.9 million families.
Arroyo said the lower poverty rating was the result of unpopular choices such as additional taxes that generated more revenues to fund human and physical infrastructure such as roads, healthcare, seaports, and airports that attracted investors.
"So we have many new jobs compared to the past administrations. We have taken the steps for economic stimulus even before we have heard of the first reports that we have a global economic crisis," she said.
But she said: "We need to continue fiscal prudence, targeted investments and targeted relief."
The Philippines, said Arroyo, is also benefiting from expanded trade partnerships like the one with China that supports economic resilience.
"These efforts are working to improve the overall quality of life of the people," she said. (JMR/Sunnex)
