Fewer poor Filipinos in first half of 2013

THE number of poor Filipinos declined in the first half of 2013 because of robust economic growth, the government said, adding that its goal of inclusive growth through investments in social development programs was on track.

“The faster growth of poor households’ income compared with the slower increase of basic commodity prices implies a robust increase in real incomes of the poor, which played a significant role in reducing poverty during the period,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan explained.