LUNA, Apayao – “Together we work hand in hand, together we the government agencies, together with Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) recognizing that no one should be left behind,” reminds Undersecretary of National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Usec. Esnaen M. Catong to government officials and agencies during the Orientation Seminar on the Magna Carta of the Poor (RA 11291) and the Local Poverty Reduction Action Plan (LPRAP).
The undersecretary mentioned the challenges faced by the Filipino people and the means by which the country can rise back up from poverty and how consolidated efforts can help reduce poverty rate.
“The senior official a deputy Director- General under the office of the President is here, this is a clear manifestation that we are sincere with all our efforts to reduce the poverty incidence from two digits of 18.1% to a single digit before the end of his term. And together we work hand in hand, together we the 24 government agencies, together with ULAP Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines recognizing that no one should be left behind, because we will be bringing the 24 government agencies targeting the 14 basic sectors working together with the ULAP with all your mayors and active leaders,” Catong said.
In his talk, Catong also commended Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr. and Congresswoman Bulut- Begtang for their tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to public service in removing the Province of Apayao from the Club 20 of the Poorest incidence in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
According to a PSA report, as of the first semester of 2023, the percentage of Apayao families living below the poverty line has significantly decreased, falling from 59.8% in 2012 to 5.44 % in 2023. The Province of Apayao is ranked fourth (4th) out of all provinces with low rates of poverty incidence.
“It is very commendable with the leadership of Gov Bulut, Jr. and Cong. Bulut- Begtang” Usec. Catong stated.
Catong further explained the National Poverty Reduction Plan will be integrated and harmonized with the help of other sectoral and local plans, and the local government units will receive assistance in preparing and formulating their own LPRAPs, through to the MCP-LPRAP orientation seminars led nationally by NAPC.
In order to create effective and focused poverty-reduction programs, Usec. Catong emphasized the significance of the MCP- LPRAP to make sure that the government is connected to the 14 basic sectors.
Catong added that the Marcos administration’s overarching goal of lowering the rate of poverty in the nation by 2028 can be significantly impacted by convergence and coordinated efforts among government agencies and the basic sectors. “In order to do this, it is crucial to uphold the basic rights of the impoverished, which are: access to food security; health care; good housing or shelter; employment and other chances for earning a living; and high- quality education,” he said.
The NAPC reaffirmed the commission’s dedication to eradicating poverty, highlighting the necessity of focused initiatives to enhance the quality of life for those who are most in need. By Krizza Joy Castillo
