The increase in self-rated poverty and food poverty in Mindanao is a development that highlights the need to bring quality and high-paying jobs to Davao City so that its residents can cope with the rising costs of living.
This was stressed on Thursday by former Civil Service Commission Chair Karlo Nograles, who said that the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) polls on self-rated poverty and food poverty “indicate that many Filipinos, especially in Mindanao, believe they simply do not have enough money to cover their basic needs, particularly food.”
“Kasi hindi sapat ang kinikita nila sa trabaho nila ngayon. This is the status quo, and we have to do something about it.”
“Those of us in Mindanao should be particularly concerned because this latest survey reveals that 3 in 4 Mindanawons believe they are poor, while roughly 7 in 10 Mindanawons say they do not earn enough to adequately feed their families,” said the former Davao City congressman.
“Sa pag-iikot ko, ito din ang pinapahiwatig ng mga nakakausap ko, kaya maraming naghahanap ng ayuda. But ayuda is just a short-term solution. Ultimately the most effective way to ensure our kababayan earn enough for their needs is to generate quality, high-paying jobs,” Nograles pointed out.
“Kasi hindi sapat ang kinikita nila sa trabaho nila ngayon. This is the status quo, and we have to do something about it.”
According to the SWS polls, as of December 2024, Self-Rated Poverty was highest in Mindanao at 76%, followed by the Visayas at 74%, Balance Luzon at 55%, and Metro Manila at 51%. The national rate is 63%, which is 4 points up from 59% in September 2024.
The same survey also revealed that as of December 2024, Self-Rated Food Poverty was highest in Mindanao at 68%, followed by the Visayas at 61%, Balance Luzon at 42%, and Metro Manila at 39%. Nationally, 51% of families rate themselves as Food-Poor.
According to Nograles, “malaki ang potential ng Davao City to become an investment and logistics hub. There are studies that show this. Pagnagawa natin ito, hindi lang tayo makaka-produce ng maayos na trabaho para sa mga taga-Davao City, pero para sa mga ibang kababayan din natin sa Mindanao.”
Nograles explained that the city must work to make the Southern Philippines Logistics Hub Project a reality as it envisions Davao as an alternative to Singapore.
“Davao City is strategically located as a gateway to countries like China, Japan, and other ASEAN markets. We have a seaport for domestic and international cargo: Sasa Port. We also have the Davao International Airport, Davao City Overland Transport Terminal, Mati Port, and Davao International Container. We have the requisite components. We just need to address the challenges that prevent us from maximizing these assets,” said the former Cabinet Secretary.
Big scale projects like these, said Nograles, would require working with neighboring LGUs, the national government, and foreign aid agencies, and the private sector.
“Maraming moving parts ito. But I’m confident that we have the experience, the network, and the tools to make this happen.”
