Less poverty? Incredible
THE good news, according to the government, is that poverty incidence has dropped. This means that there are less poor people now than before.
As reported by the government, poverty incidence by family was reduced to 24.7 percent in 2003, or a 9.91 percent change from 2000’s 27.5 percent. Poverty incidence by population was 30.4 percent in 2003 from 33 percent in 2000. These are the official figures from the National Statistical Coordination Board.
The bad news is that hardly anyone can be made to believe the government figures. Poverty incidence is the proportion of the population of families who are considered to be poor in terms of income, as incomes are below the poverty threshold, according to the National Anti-poverty Commission’s definition of the poverty threshold.
This is where the lie is: the poverty threshold. Wherever they want to set that line becomes the threshold. This can be changed by presidential or other fiat. And this is exactly what the government has done to come up with better results.
Not to worry, of course. Governments have been adjusting this threshold since time immemorial to make the stats look better.
What we, the citizens know, and what we feel, as proven by surveys taken by SWS and Pulse Asia, is that we are feeling more poorly than ever before and we are seeing that there are more of the poor amongst us.
Other statistics belie this rosy picture painted by the government about poverty incidence. For instance, the DOLE notes that less than half of the employable are currently employed.
The NSCB data is supposed to be a quantitative survey on poverty. SWS and Pulse Asia surveys are qualitative and based on perception.
The SWS March 2005 survey found 48 percent of household heads reporting their families to be "mahirap."
Pulse Asia’s national survey conducted from Oct. 22 to Nov. 6, 2004, shows that 60 percent say that they are worse off now than last year. An even bigger proportion (78 percent) sees the national quality of life as having deteriorated in the last 12 months.
According to the government stats, poverty was highest in Mindanao with the highest (47.3 percent) in the Caraga region, 45.7 percent in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and 44.1 percent in Western Mindanao.
The three regions with the lowest incidence of poverty were in Luzon: Metro Manila with 5 percent, Central Luzon with 13.7 percent, and the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon with 14.9 percent.
Believe the government at your peril.
From Ducky Paredes of Malaya nespaper.
Gamay na daw naglisud, accdg 2 d govt. IMPOSIBLE!
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