A new report from the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) says poverty in the Zamboanga Peninsula is caused by deep-rooted structural issues, not just low incomes. The report calls for ongoing investments in agriculture, education, infrastructure, and governance instead of short-term aid.
The Zamboanga Peninsula Poverty Analysis from DEPDev Region IX found that, even with some recent progress, the region still has one of the highest poverty rates in the Philippines.
The report links ongoing poverty to few job opportunities, low farm productivity, poor access to good education and health care, weak infrastructure, and growing risks from climate-related disasters.
It also says poverty is about more than just income. It affects jobs, food security, and access to basic services, especially in rural and remote areas.
The study found that families who depend on farming and fishing are especially at risk because of low incomes, unstable markets, and frequent natural disasters.
The analysis also found that poverty gets worse when there are few jobs outside farming, not enough investment in job skills, and unequal access to roads, markets, electricity, water, and internet.
DEPDev said these problems lower productivity, discourage private investment, and make it harder for poor families to improve their lives in the long run.
The report also points to climate change and natural disasters as big threats to peopleโs livelihoods, especially for farmers and fisherfolk. It also says that armed conflict in some places has slowed economic growth and made it harder to deliver basic public services.
To help reduce poverty, the agency suggests modernizing agriculture, building better farm-to-market roads, giving more people access to education and job training, improving health and nutrition services, and supporting economic growth that creates good jobs.
DEPDev also called on national and local governments, as well as development partners, to work together more closely so anti-poverty programs reach those who need them most and have lasting impact. The agency stressed the importance of using data for planning, stronger governance, and regular checks on poverty reduction efforts.
The findings highlight that the region still struggles with poverty, even after some progress. Government data show the Zamboanga Peninsula is still one of the poorest areas in the country, showing the need for ongoing and coordinated development work.
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