Central Visaya poverty incidence drops by 9.7 percent

CEBU, Philippines — Central Visayas saw a significant drop in its poverty incidence among families in 2023, falling to 12.3 percent from 22 percent in 2021, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-7.

Based on the 2023 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics released by PSA-7, the poverty incidence from January to December 2023 marks a decrease of 9.7 percentage points compared to 2021.

As estimated, the number of poor Filipino families in Central Visayas in 2023 was at 207,000, which was lower compared to the 354,000 families in 2021.

"This means that 12 out of 100 families had incomes below the amount needed to buy basic food and non-food needs in 2023," said PSA-7 Chief Statistical Specialist, Engr. Leopoldo Alfanta Jr.

In contrast, the subsistence incidence among families was estimated at 3.2 percent or 53,000 families that were not able to meet their basic food needs, which was at 4.8 percent lower compared to 2021 at 8 percent.

However, there was an improvement to the overall rating in the region because according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-7, among the 18 regions in the country, Region 7 registered the second biggest drop in poverty incidence even after the calamity and pandemic it went through.

"The 2023 poverty statistics reveal a significant progress in reducing poverty in the region, especially after the grueling process of recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and Typhoon Odette in December 2021," said Archt. Neil Andrew U. Menjares, the Chief Economic Development Specialist of NEDA-7.

The data further revealed that poverty incidence among population in the region also dropped from 27.6 percent in 2021 to 17.3 percent or 1.16 million people in 2023, moving the region closer to the 10.5 percent end-of-plan target outlined in the Central Visayas Regional Development Plan 2023-2028.

Meanwhile, the key findings from the 2023 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) for Central Visayas shows that from 2018 to 2023, the total family income in the region increased by 16.0 percent, while family expenditure rose by 15.3 percent.

Between 2021 and 2023, the average family income increased by 11.7 percent, and average family expenditure grew by 8.3 percent.

Following that, in the poverty threshold, a family of five needed at least P14,397 monthly to sustain their basic food and non-food needs. This amount is higher than the P13,593 monthly income requirement in 2021.

As presented by Mary Joy Castromayor, the Senior Statistical Specialist of SSSS- Income and Expenditure Statistics Division of PSA central office, the primary source of income or largest share of family income came from wages and salaries at 58.2 percent, followed by entrepreneurial activities at 14.2 percent, imputed rent at 9.2 percent, cash receipts from abroad at 9 percent, and cash receipts from domestic sources at 4.0 percent.

Furthermore, when it comes to the expenditure data, she said that families spend their income mostly on food and non-alcoholic beverages which comprise 41.9 percent of total expenses, with housing and utilities at 24 percent, transportation at 7.4 percent, education at 4.1 percent, and personal care and  miscellaneous goods and services at 3.6.

Across Central Visayas, Cebu City stands out with the highest average family income and expenditure, while provinces like Bohol and Siquijor report comparatively lower figures. – FPL (CEBU NEWS)