The poor needn’t always be with us

‘Maybe it’s time to think out of the box.’

THE poverty rate has remained unchanged since 2006 according to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). And the bad news is that the rate is likely to stay that way three years from now.

The NSCB said the ratio of poor Filipinos to the overall population leveled off at 27.9 percent in the first half of 2012 from 28.6 percent in the first half of 2009.

But when it is compared to the 2006 ratio of 28.8 percent, the NSCB said there was no statistical difference.

During the first semester of 2012, a family of five needed P5,458 every month to meet basic food needs and collectively earn P7,821 monthly to stay above the poverty threshold.

A family of five needed only P1,681 in 2006 and P2,042 in 2009 to move out of poverty.

Sonny Africa, executive director of research group IBON Foundation, has reason to conclude that the largest number of Filipinos do not benefit from reports of stock market record-highs and a credit rating of investment grade.

Ranged against this is the claim of National Anti-Poverty Commission chair Joel Rocamora, more like a wish, that by the end of Aquino’s term, government programs “will already have statistical impact” and the claim, again more like a wish of deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte that they have pinpointed “priority areas” to alleviate poverty and generate jobs in Aquino’s three remaining years in office.

Why wait for three years when the administration has the raw material to work on with its conditional cash transfer program?

Maybe it’s time to think out of the box. –Malaya