President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pledged to further lower the country’s poverty rate to nine percent in 2028 by investing in job-generating infrastructure and social protection programs.
In a video message on Friday, President Marcos noted the Philippines’ poverty rate dropped to 15.5 percent.
The figure means that 2.5 million Filipinos were lifted out of poverty and only 10.9 percent of Filipino families remain poor.
“Our goal is to further reduce this rate to nine percent by 2028 and improve the lives of eight million Filipinos,” President Marcos said.
“Inuulit ko, balewala lahat ng ating ginagawa kung walang pagbabago sa buhay ng mga Pilipino,” he added.
The Chief Executive also assured the government will continue to invest in job-generating infrastructure, social protection programs, health, and education for all Filipinos.
“We will not rest on our laurels but use them to propel us forward into social and economic transformation,” he added.
In the same video message, the President touted the Philippine economy grew by 6.3 percent in the second quarter of this year, compared to the previous year, noting that it is one of the highest among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“This is due to the increase in investments and construction under the Build Better More program,” Marcos said.
“Bagamat maganda ang datos na ito. Wala itong kabuluhan kung hindi maramdaman ng ating mga kababayan. Kaya’t patuloy ang ating pagbibigay ng sapat at kalidad na trabaho,” he added.
President Marcos also reported the drop in the country’s unemployment rate in June to 3.1 percent, one of the lowest on record for the last two decades.
Over 50.3 million Filipinos are now employed, with 63.8 percent of them in the formal sector.
“Lalong dumadami ang mga kababayan nating may disente at pormal na hanapbuhay at naging bahagi ng middle class,” he said.
“Ang lahat ng ito ay patungo sa layunin nating i-angat mula sa kahirapan ang bawat Pilipino at abot-kamay na natin ito,” the President added. | PND
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