Quiño to prioritize poverty alleviation

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent .

Local officials of the province of Bukidnon admitted that poverty is among their biggest hurdles as they prepare in the next three years for a clear anti-poverty strategy program for the people in uplifting their living condition.

This was disclosed by Vice Governor Rogelio Quiño as they seen a huge cut in poverty incidence in the past months.

“We admit nga poverty incidence gyud ang among gi-atubang karon nga problema as we prepare in giving out more concern to agricultural sector as the main factor in lifting-up each income per month,” he said.

Data from the PSA also showed that 10 provinces saw huge cuts in poverty incidence in the first half of 2018 which include the Bukidnon province.

The province of Siquijor topped the list, with the rate falling by 39.71 percentage points to 10 percent, followed by Ifugao, falling by 28.38 percentage points to 15.5 percent; Northern Samar, 23.78 percentage points to 30 percent; and Apayao, 23.56 percentage points to 23.2 percent.

Other areas where poverty incidence declined are Sorsogon, down by 22.22 percentage points to 24.5 percent; Bukidnon, 22.08 percentage points to 32.1 percent; Lanao del Norte, 18.53 percentage points to 23.6 percent; Catanduanes, 17.93 percentage points to 19.4 percent; Mt. Province, 17.35 percentage points to 24.4 percent; and North Cotabato, 16.75 percentage points to 25.6 percent.

These cuts caused overall poverty incidence to improve to 21 percent in the first half of last year, from 27.6 percent in 2015. The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) attributed this to the rise in incomes, particularly among the poorest Filipinos.

“Our function in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is to draft immediate plans and recommend this to Governor Jose Maria Zubiri. Daghan kami og gi-recommend nga solusyon og misupporta gyud kami sa action ni Gov kalabot ani,” he said.

He said among the top priority to uplift the living condition in each family who mainly engaged in agriculture is giving them free top of the line agricultural seeds and fertilizers that would surely provide them income generating every month.

Quiño said they also provide livelihood programs to marginalized sectors that would also surely generate income every now and then.

He said since Bukidnon relies more on agricultural economy they would provide major agricultural assistance to produce rice, maize, sugar, coffee, rubber, pineapple, banana, tomato, flowers, cassava, and other fruits and vegetables.

“Investors and producer of chickens, hogs and cattle is increasing in which they also cater employments to our people,” he added.

Quiño said the provincial government will also provide free education program from elementary to college level as the national government provide them recently free state college at the municipality of Manolo Fortich, two cities in Malaybalay and Valencia.