The Marcos administration will work to keep 6.5 million Filipinos who have escaped poverty from falling back into it, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said.
Recto said the government would focus on creating more jobs, raising incomes and making basic goods more affordable.
“That is the marching order of the President: Support the middle class and prevent 6.5 million Filipinos from sliding back into the zone of poverty,” Recto said.
The statement came after poverty incidence dropped from 15.5% in 2023 to 9.7% in 2025. The number of poor Filipinos also fell from 17.5 million to 11 million.
Recto, however, said the government could not afford to relax.
“But this is not the time to rest. That goal is not the finish line. The work goes on,” he said.
He said the administration would continue measures to lower household expenses and increase the money available to families for spending.
Among the measures being pushed are raising the annual personal income tax exemption to P350,000, exempting small businesses from the Minimum Corporate Income Tax and pursuing a general tax amnesty.
The government is also looking at removing the travel tax and stopping distribution utilities and electric cooperatives from passing system loss charges on to ordinary consumers.
Recto said the government would continue efforts to keep food, fuel, electricity and other basic necessities affordable.
He also pointed to jobs and investments that could come from the growing artificial intelligence and digital economy.
The administration is also facing risks from the Middle East crisis, which could affect fuel and food prices, trade and employment, as well as climate-related disruptions.IMT
