RIGHT PRIORITY
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez yesterday said the government can get more Filipinos out of poverty by creating additional income and job opportunities for them.
In remarks marking the resumption of the session of Congress, the House leader also thanked his colleagues for giving priority to disaster response over rest during their recess in the wake of recent typhoon Kristine.
“Maraming salamat sa maagap ninyong pagkilos. Saludo po ako sa malasakit na ipinakita ninyo sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.
The leader of the 300-plus-strong House said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his administration should be commended “for their approach to reducing poverty and addressing food insecurity, leading to a notable reduction in self-rated hunger.”
“The government’s reforms and programs are now yielding positive results,” he said.
He noted that the August 28 to September 2, 2024, Tugon Ng Masa (TNM) survey published by OCTA Research showed that self-rated poverty dropped by five percentage points, with an estimated 1.4 million Filipino families now considering themselves “not poor.”
He recalled that before the recess in September, the House adopted House Resolution (HR) 2036, allowing five committees to conduct a joint inquiry and propose legislation to counteract massive smuggling and price manipulation of essential goods.
This Quinta Comm, comprising the committees on ways and means, trade and industry, agriculture and food, social services, and the special committee on food security, aims to mitigate hunger and ensure food security.
Despite government efforts, Speaker Romualdez said many Filipinos still face food insecurity.
He cited a report of the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization showing that the Philippines ranks first in food insecurity in Southeast Asia, with around 51 million Filipinos experiencing moderate to severe lack of food and highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive action.
“This year, our nation has endured the impacts of both El Niño and extensive flooding, causing severe damage to the agricultural sector and affecting countless livelihoods,” the House leader said.
