The poverty incidence among families in Western Visayas has dropped to 5.2 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2025 official poverty statistics, down from 9.8 percent in 2023.
Joyalita Tigres, chief economic development specialist at the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev-6), cited the decline as a key achievement in implementing the Regional Development Plan.
“When we say poverty reduction, this is not only for the increase in income of our households or our families. But of course, these are the opportunities or the access to basic services like education, health and social protection,” she explained during a media forum on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
She added that all the provinces in the region have reduced poverty incidence.
DEPDev-6 Regional Director Arecio Casing Jr. said that one of the major parameters they look at in development is poverty.
Looking at the improved poverty situation, it showed that the region’s 6.4 percent economic growth, the fastest in the country in 2025, was felt across all sectors.
“Perhaps our agencies in the region were effective in their mandates. DOH (Department of Health), DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), among other agencies whose job is to provide services,” Casing added.
Meanwhile, Tigres said that they have updated the Western Visayas Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2023-2028, which was formulated through a collaborative, participatory approach involving regional line agencies, local government units (LGUs), the private sector, academe, and other stakeholders.
“We have to check our progress, update our priorities and strategies, and respond to new challenges and opportunities to keep the region on track to achieve its goals and targets,” she said.
The RDP has five parts with 16 chapters, including a special chapter on energy transition.
Tigres expects the LGUs to align their plans and budgets with the RDP, integrate priorities into their development plans and investment programs, and accelerate the implementation of priority programs.
“We also expect the LGUs to strengthen local resilience initiatives and promote partnerships with the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders,” she added.PNA
