Statistics from the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) shows that of the top 10 least poor cities/districts in the Philippines, nine districts can be found in the National Capital Region (NCR or Metro Manila).
Using the 2009 small area estimates, the NSCB grouped 1,643 municipalities and cities in the country into three clusters: Cluster 1—the poorest municipalities/cities; Cluster 2—the middle group; and Cluster 3—the least poor municipalities/cities.
The NSCB revealed that in 2009, there were 549, or 33 percent of the total, least poor municipalities/cities (Cluster 3), adding that the least poor city/district was Binondo, Manila where only one out of 100 individuals was poor.
Other cities/district that belongs to Cluster 3 were Sampaloc, San Miguel, Ermita, Santa Cruz, and Malate in Manila; Makati City; Pasay City; San Juan City; and Santa Rosa City in Laguna. Among municipalities, San Pedro, Laguna emerged as the least poor where only two out of 100 individuals were poor.
Other least poor municipalities were Cainta, San Mateo, Morong, and Angono in Rizal; Los Baños, Biñan, Cabuyao and Santa Cruz in Laguna; and Imus in Cavite.
Meanwhile, the NSCB also said that about 473 municipalities/cities (29 percent) belong to Cluster 1 or poorest municipalities/cities in the Philippines. The poorest city in 2009 was Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental where 49 out of 100 individuals were poor.
Also, among the poorest cities in 2009 were Bayugan in Agusan del Sur, cities of Sipalay and Kabankalan in Negros Occidental; cities of Guihulngan and Bayawan in Negros Oriental; Tangub City in Misamis Occidental; Ligao City in Albay; Surigao City in Surigao del Norte; and Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte.
On the other hand, the NSCB also named Siayan in the province of Zamboanga del Norte as the poorest municipality in the country where 80 out of 100 individuals were poor.
Other municipalities among the 10 poorest were Bucloc in Abra; Baliguian, Godod, and Gutalac in Zamboanga del Norte; Jose Abad Santos (Trinidad) and Sarangani in Davao del Sur; Pandag in Maguindanao; Tagoloan in Lanao del Norte; and Mabuhay in Zamboanga Sibugay.
Poverty reduction
In terms of poverty reduction, the city with the highest reduction in poverty from 2003 to 2009 was achieved in Calbayog City in Samar with a reduction of 28 poor individuals per 100.
Other cities that achieved the highest reduction in poverty were Catbalogan also in Samar; Tayabas in Quezon; Passi City in Iloilo; Bayawan City in Negros Oriental; Tangub City in Misamis Occidental; Isabela City; Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte; Masbate City in Masbate; and Tabuk City in Kalinga.
Meanwhile, the municipality with the highest reduction in poverty from 2003 to 2009 was Linapacan in Palawan where the number of poor individuals per 100 was reduced by 58.
Others which succeeded the most in reducing poverty were the municipalities of Tanudan, Tinglayan and Pasil in Kalinga; Bagulin and Santol in La Union; Busuanga, San Vicente and Magsaysay in Palawan; and Ambaguio in Nueva Vizcaya.
“Surely, there have been positive changes somewhere. But clearly, the overall change in the poverty situation of the municipalities and cities in the country over a span of six years is not something we can be happy about,” the NSCB stated.
It added that the Conditional Cash Transfer program of the national government certainly is a move in this direction but the local government executives, individually and collectively, must do their share. –MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO REPORTER, Manila Times
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