Lingayen , Philippines – Pangasinan is one of the provinces that registered a sharp drop of 9.5 percent in poverty reduction.
Malacañang Communications Assistant Secretary Lila Ramos Shahani made this observation in a speech during the 115th Independence Day celebration at the capitol plaza here.
Shahani, daughter of former senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani, said the country is battling the war against poverty, adding that the Aquino administration is doing its job to cushion the impact of poverty on marginalized families.
With the strides made by the Pangasinan provincial government in poverty alleviation from 2006 to 2012, the province is now well on its way to a better economy, she said.
“Figures were not manufactured but based on the genuine report of the NSCB (National Statistics Coordination Board). Gov. Amado Espino did a remarkable job and no one can question that,†Shahani said.