Filipinos living under the poverty line expanded 2.5 percent from 23.8 million in 2003 to a staggering 27.6 million in 2006, the Philippine government said on Wednesday quoting the latest figures.
According to a report of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), those considered poor were Filipino families of five individuals whose combined income stood below 6,274 pesos (156.85 U.S. dollars) a month in 2006.
The number of impoverished Filipino families was 4.7 million or, in other words, 27 out of every 100 families were rated poor, the report said.
NEDA officials disclosed that poverty incidence increased by 2.5 percent over the three years to hit 26.9 percent in 2006.
The administration, led by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, vowed to bring down the poverty incidence from 28 percent in 2004 to 19 percent at most in 2010 when Arroyo finishes her six-year term.
But analysts said that promise is difficult to keep considering the current poverty situation.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article