Former Senator Kiko Pangilinan has proposed a law requiring all newly elected and appointed officials to experience living with the poor for several days, aiming to foster empathy and gain a deeper perspective on poverty’s realities.
If elected, Pangilinan said legislating this program will be one of his top priorities, in line with his advocacy of fighting hunger, poverty, and inflation.
Pangilinan first implemented the “live with the poor” initiative during his stint as a Quezon City councilor in 1998, mandating his fellow councilors and city department heads to immerse themselves in poor communities for at least three days.
“Simple lang naman po ang gusto nating mangyari. Mamulat, maranasan at maintindihan ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno ang kalbaryong araw-araw na dinaranas ng mga naghihikahos nating kababayan. Kung paano maging mahirap. Kung paano magutom. Kung paano makipaglaban para lang mabuhay,” Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan said the “live with the poor” program will provide newly-elected and appointed officials with first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by those living in poverty, helping them craft effective policies and aid programs based on real experiences.
The former Senator said the “live with the poor” program will provide newly-elected and appointed officials with first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by those living in poverty, helping them craft effective policies and aid programs based on real experiences.
“Madalas sa hindi, hiwalay sa reyalidad ang karanasan at pagtingin ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno sa tunay na kalagayan ng mahihirap. Paano mo epektibong matutugunan ang isang problemang hindi mo naman lubos na nauunawaan?” Pangilinan emphasized.
“Inaasahan natin na ang mga dadaan sa ‘live with the poor’ program ay magkakaroon ng bagong kaalaman, perspektibo, at inspirasyon para makagawa ng mga batas at proyektong tutugon sa kapakanan ng nakararami, lalo na ng mga nasa laylayan ng ating lipunan,” he added.
He earlier expressed concern over the rise in national poverty incidence among Filipino families, which was recorded in 2023 at 10.9 percent, or around 2.99 million Filipino families without enough income.
Meanwhile, around 50 percent, or 13.2 million Filipino families, considered themselves poor in the fourth quarter of 2024, based on the result of the latest OCTA Tugon ng Masa survey.
