The percentage of Ilonggos considered poor went down in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period three years ago, data from the Iloilo Provincial Statistics Office (IPSO) showed.
The poverty incidence among the population in the province of Iloilo stood at 26 percent from January to June this year, lower than 2021’s 27.3 percent.
The latest figure is equivalent to 549, 670 Ilonggos whose per capita income is not enough to meet their basic food and non-food needs.
“On average, a family of five members will need at least P13,923 per month to meet their basic food and non-food needs in the first semester of 2023,” IPSO said.
The province’s subsistence incidence or the rate of Ilonggos whose income is not enough to buy even the basic food needs decreased to 9.1 percent, which translates to 193,640 individuals, from 12.3 percent.
“On average, the monthly food threshold for a family of five in the same period was estimated at P9,714,” IPSO said.
Among families, the poverty incidence was at 20.2 percent, equivalent to 103,340 households. The subsistence incidence stood at 6.4 percent, equivalent to 33,930 food-poor households.
In Iloilo City, the economic center of Western Visayas, residents considered poor significantly decreased from 11.4 percent in the first half of 2021 to 9.1 percent in the same period this year.
The 2023 figure translates to 42,950 poor individuals who lived below the poverty threshold of about P14,563 per month for a family of five.
The subsistence incidence went down to 2.4 percent from 3.2 percent. It was estimated that a family of five needs at least P10,186 per month to meet their basic food requirements.
Among families, the poverty incidence was at 6.8 percent, equivalent to 6,870 households. The subsistence incidence was at 1.7 percent, equivalent to 1,700 food-poor households.IMT
