National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary and Lead Convenor Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao is seeking to establish field and satellite branches across every administrative region in the Philippines, aiming to make government poverty alleviation programs directly accessible to grassroots communities.
Pacquiao outlined his decentralization strategy during a high-level consultative meeting with Finance Secretary Frederick Go on Friday to discuss key inter-agency measures to bolster national poverty reduction programs.
In an official social media post over the weekend, the commission highlighted the core vision guiding the new chief’s agenda: “Isa sa mga pangunahing direktiba ng NAPC sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Secretary Pacquiao ang ilapit ang ahensya sa mga Pilipino at mga komunidad sa pamamagitan ng pagtatatag ng mga tanggapan ng NAPC sa iba’t ibang rehiyon sa bansa (One of the key directives of the NAPC under the leadership of Secretary Pacquiao is to bring the agency closer to Filipinos and communities by establishing NAPC offices in various regions across the country).”
Institutional Drive and Alignment
Addressing agency personnel and officials during his formal welcome ceremony at the NAPC headquarters on Friday, the former senator and iconic eight-division world boxing champion called for institutional solidarity, faith-driven leadership, and an unwavering focus on public service.
NAPC noted that during his address, “Hinimok din ni Secretary Pacquiao ang lahat ng opisyal at kawani ng NAPC na itaguyod ang isang NAPC na maaasahan ng taumbayan, isang institusyong nakikinig, may integridad, at tunay na naglilingkod sa mga mahihirap at nangangailangan (Secretary Pacquiao also urged all NAPC officials and staff to build an NAPC that the public can rely on, an institution that listens, upholds integrity, and genuinely serves the poor and the needy).”
Strengthening Policy Coordination
Appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier this month, Pacquiao takes the helm at NAPC following a key executive restructuring in August that returned administrative oversight of the commission to the Office of the President. The administrative shift aims to improve policy alignment and promote greater convergence across national poverty alleviation and urban development strategies.
Formally created under Republic Act 8425, also known as the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act of 1997, NAPC serves as the primary coordinating and advisory agency tasked with executing the national government’s social reform agenda.