Gov’t bolsters social protection

THE Marcos administration is intensifying efforts to bolster social protection and public services as the Philippines pushes to transition to an upper middle-income economy.

Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro on Tuesday said that government is “addressing gaps in social protection systems and building national and local state capacity toward accessible, resilient public services.”

The Philippine poverty rate stood at 15.5% in 2023, the World Bank reported earlier this month. Despite improvements, nearly 28% of Filipinos remain vulnerable to falling back into poverty, and a large percentage hover just above the poverty line without secure economic footing.

“The Marcos administration’s updated Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 builds upon these gains and recognizes that many Filipino families are vulnerable to falling into poverty including those arising from employment, health and climate-related shocks,” Ms. Castro said quoting Economy Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.

“The government’s thrust is to grow the economy while creating high quality jobs, investing skills and other productivity enhancing measures,” she said. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking