Poverty figures need reality check, says Legarda

MANILA — A reported drop in the poverty incidence rate to 9.7 percent in 2025, down from 15.5 percent two years earlier, raises questions about whether government statistics accurately capture the economic reality facing Filipino households, according to Senator Loren Legarda.

Legarda acknowledged the reported decline as significant but stressed the need to examine what the figures mean in practical terms for struggling families. The senator's comments suggest a disconnect between headline poverty statistics and the lived experiences of ordinary Filipinos grappling with rising costs of living and economic pressures.

The poverty rate is a key metric used by the government to assess the effectiveness of its economic and social programs. However, critics and policymakers have long raised concerns about whether the official methodology captures the full scope of economic hardship, including underemployment, wage stagnation, and access to basic services.

Legarda's statement reflects broader concerns among lawmakers and development advocates about ensuring that anti-poverty initiatives and government spending genuinely improve conditions for those most in need. The senator's call for scrutinizing official figures underscores the importance of aligning policy decisions with the actual circumstances facing Filipino families.