Final 2015 poverty report shows improved Eastern Visayas economy

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 14 (PNA) -– Poverty incidence in Eastern Visayas remarkably dropped from 2012 to 2015 due to massive post-Yolanda reconstruction, the National Economic Development Authority reported, citing latest full-year results of the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES).

From 45.2 poverty incidence among population in 2012, the figure declined to 38.7 percent in 2015 or two years after super typhoon Yolanda caused the loss of homes and livelihood of more than a million people in the region.

That means 38 out of every 100 persons in the region are impoverished or their income are below the basic monthly requirement. Based on estimates, there are 1.75 million people in the region tagged as poor in 2015. This is lower than 1.88 million poor people in 2012.

“The massive recovery activities of the government and the private sector contributed largely to the better income of families last year, but we have not yet fully recovered,” said NEDA Regional Director Bonifacio Uy.

Of the six provinces, only Northern Samar had worsening poverty situation from 50.2 percent in 2012 to 56.2 percent in 2015. The official noted that there are less reconstruction activities in areas hit by typhoon Nona unlike in Yolanda-hit communities.

The five provinces that registered poverty incidence cut between 2012 to 2015 are Biliran (27.5 percent to 21.3 percent), Eastern Samar (63.7 percent to 46.3 percent), Leyte (39.2 percent to 31 percent), Southern Leyte (43.3 percent to 38 percent), and Samar (50 percent to 46. 9 percent).

Based on 2015 FIES, a family of five needed an average of PHP6,329 monthly to meet the family's basic food needs and an average PHPP9,064 every month to meet both basic food and non-food needs, according to the Philippine Statistic Authority.

FIES provides data on family income and expenditure, which include among others levels of consumption by item of expenditure as well as sources of income in cash and in kind.

Before the destructive typhoon struck in 2013, poverty level had steadily increased from 41.4 percent in 2006, 43.8 percent in 2009 to 45.2 percent in 2012.

Eastern Visayas is the country’s third poorest region in 2015, next to Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (53.7 percent) and Caraga Administrative Region (39.1 percent).

NEDA is optimistic that curbing poverty will be sustained in the next years with the commitment of President Rodrigo Duterte to focus on areas hit by super typhoon Yolanda. (PNA)

LAP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO