The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) credited the national government’s flagship social protection initiatives, such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), for driving a historic reduction in the country’s poverty incidence.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) 2025 Full-Year Poverty Statistics showed that poverty incidence among the population dropped to a record-low 9.7 percent from 15.5 percent in 2023. The shift indicates that 6.5 million Filipinos were lifted out of poverty over the two-year period.
“This is a positive development and an affirmation that the whole-of-government strategy to address poverty alleviation is working, especially through the flagship programs like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. We also take this historic achievement as proof that what we are doing in implementing our programs is working to help the poor and vulnerable sectors,” DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said on Friday.
The progress allows the Philippines to achieve the single-digit poverty target outlined in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) three years ahead of schedule.
“The report shows the fruits of the collaboration between the national government, local government, private sector, and the Filipino people towards building a brighter future. Ikinatutuwa din ito ng DSWD, at nangangako kaming mas pagbubutihin pa ang pagbibigay serbisyo para sa ating mga benepisyaryo,” Dumlao added.
Alongside 4Ps, the agency continues to implement target social interventions including the Walang Gutom Program (WGP), Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
“Pinalakas natin ang 4Ps katuwang ang ibang ahensiya to help break the intergenerational cycle of poverty. Pero maliban sa 4Ps, nandiyan ang Sustainable Livelihood Program natin para tumulong magbigay tulong pangkabuhayan sa mga nangangailangan. Nariyan din ang ating Walang Gutom Program na assistance para sa mga food-poor,” Dumlao noted.
Reaffirming the department’s commitment to sustaining these economic gains, Dumlao emphasized ongoing efforts to expand coverage for vulnerable sectors.
“Alinsunod sa utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., patuloy pang pinaparami ng DSWD ang mga oportunidad sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino para sa kanilang development, magkaroon sila ng trabaho o di kaya ay hanap-buhay at magka access sa iba’t-ibang programa ng gobyerno,” the agency stated.