The Duterte Administration has earlier vowed a comfortable life for every Filipino family and attained a significant milestone when poverty incidence declined from 23.3% in 2015 to 16.7% in 2018. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on income and job opportunities as reflected in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, conducted April 2022, showing 43% of Filipino families feel poor – the same rating reflected in their December 2021 survey.

It is for this reason that we have accelerated social and economic recovery while managing the risk due to COVID-19. For the immediate term, our efforts include shifting to Alert Level 1 to further improve the performance of key sectors such as tourism and opening of schools for face-to-face learning.

We recognize that much more needs to be done to lift Filipino families from their poor condition. We have therefore adopted a Ten-Point Policy Agenda for Economic Recovery last April 2022 where all government agencies are directed to ensure all-related policies, programs and measures of the government are aligned with the Ten-Point Policy Agenda.

Sec. Martin M. Andanar
Presidential Communications Secretary and Acting Presidential Spokesperson