Nearly half of Philippine cities, towns poor – NSCB

MANILA – Almost half of all the cities and municipalities in the Philippines are poor, according to the National Statistical Coordination Board.

Based on the 2009 small area estimates of poverty, the NSCB said 795 of the 1,643 cities and municipalities in the country have poverty incidences ranging from 32.1 to 60 percent. Another 67 municipalities have poverty incidences higher than 60 percent.

Of the poorest 20 municipalities in 2009, 17 are from Mindanao and three from Luzon.

The poorest municipality in the country is Siayan in Zamboanga del Norte with a poverty incidence of 79.9 percent, followed by Bucloc in Abra with 77. 2 percent; Baliguian in Zamboanga del Norte, 75.3 percent; Jose Abad Santos in Davao del Sur, 72.3 percent; and Sarangani in Davao del Sur with poverty incidence of 72.1 percent.

Also considered very poor are Godgod in Zamboanga del Norte with a poverty incidence of 71.1 percent; Gutalac, Zamboanga del Norte, 70.4 percent; Panda, Maguindanao, 70.1 percent; Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte, 69.4 percent; Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay, 68.9 percent; Manukan and Sibuco in Zamboanga del Norte both with 68.2 percent; Jose Dalman in Zamboanga del Norte, 68 percent; Nunungan in Lanao del Norte, 67.9 percent; Kibungan in Benguet, 67.9 percent; Guindulungan, in Maguindanao, 67.7 percent; Munai in Lanao del Norte, 67.5 percent; Tangcal in Lanao del Norte, 67.4 percent; Lacub in Abra, 67.2 percent; and Gen. S.K. Pendatun in Maguindanao, 67.1 percent. –Darwin G. Amojelar, InterAksyon.com