Ang kahirapan ay tumutukoy sa kalagayan o katayuan ng isang tao na walang isang halaga ng mga

pag-aaring materyal o salapi.[1] Ang absolutong kahirapan ang kalagayan o katayuan ng hindi

pagkakaroon ng paraan o pamamaraan upang makayanan o makapagdulot magkaroon ng payak o
basikong mga pangangailangang pantao, katulad ng malinis na tubig o naiinom na
tubig, nutrisyon, pangangalagang pangkalusugan, kasuotan, at tirahan.[2][3] Ang relatibong
kahirapan ay ang kalagayan ng pagkakaroon ng mas kakaunting mga mapagkukunan o mas
kakaunting kitang salapi kaysa ibang mga tao sa loob ng isang lipunan o bansa, o kapag inihambing
sa mga karaniwang bilang sa buong mundo. Ang suplay ng mga pagkain na pangangailangan ay
maaaring malimitahan ng mga limitasyon sa mga serbisyo ng pamahalaan gaya ng korupsiyon,
ilegal na paglisan ng kapital, mga kondisyonalidad sa utang at sa pagkaubos ng utak ng mga
propesyonal na pang-edukasyon at pangkalausugan..

The poverty line, which is also sometimes called the poverty threshold, is the smallest amount
of money a person or a family needs to live on; to buy what is needed and is a line which is a gulf
between the rich and the poor. It is the imaginary line drawn by the experts which has a particular
amount if anybody earn income which is lower than this amount is known as poor and other who
earn more than this amount is known as non-poor![1] People who are below this line
are classified as poor. This line is used to decide who can get extra help with things
like food, shelter or medical care. There is a poverty line based on the income and another based on
consumption levels.
The poverty line is not the same in all countries. It can be decided by the economy. In the United
States, the poverty line is different depending on how many people there are in a family. This is
because it costs more to buy food and supplies for more people. So, for example, it is higher in a
family with eight people than in a family with three people. The poverty line also makes sure the poor
and rich are separated immensely. If there were not a poverty line, the distribution of goods to those
of whom are actually poor, would decrease. [2]

The Second Quarter 2018 Social Weather Survey, done on June 27-30, 2018, found 48% (est. 11.1 million) of
families considering themselves as Mahirap or Poor. This is 6 points above the 42% (est. 9.8 million families) in
March 2018, and is the highest since the 50% in March 2017 [Chart 1, Table 1].

Self-Rated Food Poverty up 5 points, to 34%

The June 2018 survey also found 34% (est. 7.8 million) of families rating their food as Mahirap or Poor, termed by
SWS as Food-Poor. This is 5 points above the 29% (est. 6.7 million) in March 2018, and is the highest since the
similar 34% in December 2016 [Chart 2, Table 2].

Half of the non-poor transitioned out of poverty

The June 2018 survey also found that of the 48% Self-Rated Poor families, 36% have never experienced being non-
poor (“always poor”). The 12% who transitioned into poverty consists of 6% who used to be non-poor five or
more years ago (“usually poor”), and 6% who used to be non-poor 1-4 years ago (“newly poor”). This
is similar to the 6% newly poor recorded in March 2018 [Charts 3-4, Table 3].
The survey also found that of the 52% Self-Rated Non-Poor families, 26% have never experienced poverty
(“always non-poor”). The 26% who transitioned out of poverty consists of 18% who used to be poor five or
more years ago (“usually non-poor”), and 9% who used to be poor 1-4 years ago (“newly non-poor”).
This is 3 points lower than the 12% newly non-poor recorded in March 2018.

Nationwide self-rated poverty thresholds and gaps

The median Self-Rated Poverty Threshold – the monthly budget that a poor household needs for home expenses in
order not to consider itself poor in general – is P15,000 [Chart 5, Table 4].

The June 2018 survey also found that the median Self-Rated Poverty Gap – the amount poor families lack in
monthly home expenses relative to their stated threshold – was at P6,000, about two-fifths of the Self-Rated
Poverty Threshold. This is the highest recorded value for the Self-Rated Poverty Gap since it was first surveyed in
November 2010.

Meanwhile, the national median Self-Rated Food Poverty Threshold – the monthly budget that a food-poor
household needs for food expenses in order not to consider its food as poor – is unchanged at P6,000 [Chart
6, Table 5].

The national median Self-Rated Food Poverty Gap – the amount food-poor families lack in monthly food expenses
relative to their stated threshold – is also unchanged at P3,000, or half of the Self-Rated Food Poverty Threshold.

Self-Rated Poverty up 18 points in Mindanao, 13 points in Visayas and NCR; down 5 points in Balance Luzon

The 6-point nationwide increase in Self-Rated Poverty (SRP) in the second quarter of 2018 was due to sharp
increases in Mindanao, Metro Manila, and the Visayas offset by a slight decrease in Balance Luzon.

SRP rose by 18 points in Mindanao, from 42% in March 2018 to 60% in June 2018. This is the highest since the 70%
in September 2015 [Chart 7, Table 6].

It rose by 13 points in the Visayas, from 54% in March to 67% in June. This is the highest since the 71% in December
2015.

It also rose by 13 points in Metro Manila, from 30% in March to 43% in June. This is the highest since the 43% in
December 2014.

However, SRP decreased by 5 points in Balance Luzon, from 40% in March to 35% in June. This is the lowest since
34% in September 2016.

Self-Rated Food Poverty up 14 points in Mindanao, 5 points in Metro Manila, 2 points in Balance Luzon;
unchanged in Visayas

The 5-point increase in the nationwide Self-Rated Food Poverty (SRFP) in the second quarter of 2018 was due to
increases in Mindanao, Metro Manila, and Balance Luzon, and an unchanged proportion in the Visayas [Chart 8,
Table 7].

SRFP increased by 14 points in Mindanao, from 31% in March 2018 to 45% in June 2018. This is the highest since
the 54% in September 2015.

It also increased by 5 points in Metro Manila, from 18% in March to 23% in June. This is the highest since the similar
23% in December 2016.

It also increased by 2 points in Balance Luzon, from 24% in March to 26% in June. This is the highest since 32% in
December 2017.
However, it was unchanged in the Visayas at 45% in March and June. This is the highest since the 50% in December
2015.

Poverty thresholds and gaps

Self-Rated Poverty measures the proportion of respondents rating their family as poor or mahirap, while the Self-
Rated Poverty Threshold (SRPT) is the minimum monthly budget poor families need for home expenses in order not
to be poor. The median Self-Rated Poverty Threshold  is what the poorer half of the poor need for home expenses.

In the November 2010 Social Weather Survey, SWS asked its self-rated poor respondents how much
they lack (“Magkano pa po ba ang kulang ninyo sa ngayon?”) in their minimum monthly budgets relative to
their SRPT. The answer is called the Self-Rated Poverty Gap (SRPG). The median Self-Rated Poverty Gap is how
much the poorer half of the poor lack in order not to be poor.

The June 2018 median SRPTs by area are P20,000 in Metro Manila, P15,000 in Balance Luzon, P11,000 in the
Visayas, and P15,000 in Mindanao [Charts 9-12, Tables 8-11].

Except for Metro Manila and Mindanao, all SRPTs increased. The SRPTs for Mindanao, Balance Luzon, and Metro
Manila are at record-highs.

The June 2018 median SRPGs by area are P8,000 in Metro Manila, P5,800 in Balance Luzon, P5,000 in the Visayas,
and P7,000 in Mindanao.

Except for the Visayas, all SRPGs increased. The latest SRPG for Mindanao is a new record-high.

Food Poverty thresholds and gaps

Self-Rated Food Poverty measures the proportion of respondents rating the food their family eats as poor or mahirap,
while the Self-Rated Food Poverty Threshold (SRFPT) is the minimum monthly food budget poor families need in
order for their food not to be poor. The median Self-Rated Poverty Threshold is what that poorer half of the food-
poor need in order not to consider their food as poor.

The Self-Rated Food Poverty Gap (SRFPG) is how much they lack relative to their self-rated food poverty threshold.
The median Self-Rated Food Poverty Gap is the how much the poorer half of the food-poor lack in order not to
consider their food as poor.

In the past, the median SRPG has generally been half of the median SRPT, and the median SRFPG has generally
been half of the median SRFPT. This means that the poorer half of the poor lack half of what they need to consider
themselves non-poor.

The June 2018 median SRFPTs by area are P10,000 in Metro Manila, P5,000 in Balance Luzon, P6,000 in the
Visayas, and P7,000 in Mindanao [Chart 13-16, Tables 12-15].

SRFPTs in Metro Manila and the Visayas increased, while the values for Mindanao and Balance Luzon decreased.
The values for Metro Manila and the Visayas are record-highs in the area.

The June 2018 median SRFPG for poor households is P4,000 in Metro Manila, P3,000 in Balance Luzon, P2,000 in
the Visayas, and P3,000 in Mindanao.

Except for Metro Manila, all SRFPTs were unchanged or decreased.

 

Survey background
The June 2018 Social Weather Survey was conducted from June 27-30, 2018 using face-to-face interviews of 1,200
adults (18 years old and above) nationwide: 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao
(sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon,
Visayas, and Mindanao).

The area estimates were weighted by Philippine Statistics Authority medium-population projections for 2018 to obtain
the national estimates.

The quarterly Social Weather Surveys on the family's self-rated poverty and self-rated food-poverty are directed to
the household head, and are not commissioned. They are done on SWS's own initiative and released as a public
service.

The survey question on Self-Rated Poverty is as follows: "Saan po ninyo ilalagay ang inyong pamilya sa kard na ito?"
["Where would you place your family in this card?"]. A showcard with the choices HINDI MAHIRAP (Not poor), SA
LINYA (On the line), MAHIRAP (Poor) is shown.

The Self-Rated Poverty Threshold is then obtained by a follow-up question: â€œKUNG MAHIRAP: Upang hindi na
masabing mahirap kayo, magkano sa palagay ninyo ang pinakamababang panggastos sa bahay sa isang buwan na
kailangan ng inyong pamilya? Hindi po kasama ang mga gastusin na may kinalaman sa trabaho tulad ng
pamasahe.” [“IF POOR: In your opinion, how much money would your family need for home expenses each
month in order not to be called poor anymore? This excludes work-related expenses like transportation.”].

The survey question on Self-Rated Poverty Gap is as follows: "KUNG MAHIRAP: Sinabi po ninyo na P(MENTION
ANSWER) ang pinakamababang panggastos sa bahay sa isang buwan na kailangan ng inyong pamilya upang hindi
na masabing mahirap kayo. Magkano pa po ba ang kulang ninyo sa ngayon?” [IF POOR: You said that
P(MENTION ANSWER) is the amount of money that your family would need for home expenses each month in order
not to be called poor anymore. How much DO YOU LACK now?].

For Self-Rated Food Poverty: "Tungkol naman sa klase ng pagkain ng pamilya ninyo, saan po ninyo ilalagay ang
inyong pamilya sa kard na ito?" ["Based on the type of food eaten by your family, where would you place your family
on this card?"] A similar showcard with the choices HINDI MAHIRAP (Not poor), SA LINYA (On the line), MAHIRAP
(Poor) is shown to the respondent.

The Self-Rated Food Poverty Threshold is obtained by a follow-up question: â€œKUNG MAHIRAP: Upang hindi na
masabing mahirap kayo, batay sa pagkain, magkano sa palagay ninyo ang pinakamababang panggastos sa pagkain
sa isang buwan na kailangan ng inyong pamilya?” [“IF POOR:  In your opinion, how much money would
your family need for food expenses each month in order not to be called poor anymore in terms of food?”].

For Self-Rated Food Poverty Gap: "KUNG MAHIRAP: Sinabi po ninyo na P(MENTION ANSWER) ang
pinakamababang panggastos sa pagkain sa isang buwan na kailangan ng inyong pamilya upang hindi na masabing
mahirap kayo batay sa pagkain. Magkano pa po ba ang kulang ninyo sa ngayon?” [IF POOR: You said that
P(MENTION ANSWER) is the amount of money that your family would need for food expenses each month in order
not to be called poor anymore in terms of food.  How much DO YOU LACK now?].

The survey question on Transitioning Into and Out of Poverty is as follows: “KUNG MAHIRAP: Nangyari na po
ba, kailanman sa mga nakaraang taon, na ang pamilya ninyo ay HINDI MAHIRAP? KUNG OO: Kailan po ang
pinakamalapit na taon na nangyari ‘yan?” [IF POOR: Did it happen anytime in past years that your family was
NOT POOR? IF YES: When was the most recent year that it happened?]

“KUNG HINDI MAHIRAP/SA LINYA: Nangyari na po ba, kailanman noong mga nakaraang taon, na ang pamilya
ninyo ay MAHIRAP? KUNG OO: Kailan po ang pinakamalapit na taon na nangyari ‘yan?” [IF NOT POOR/ON
THE LINE: Did it happen anytime in past years that your family was POOR? IF YES: When was the most recent year
that it happened?]

SWS employs its own staff for questionnaire design, sampling, fieldwork, data-processing, and analysis, and does not
outsource any of its survey operations. This report was prepared by Antonia Beatrice D. Lee.
 Ang Kapit-Bisig Laban sa KahirapanComprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services o
Kalahi-CIDSS ay isang programa ng DSWD na tumutulong sa mga mahihirap na munisipyo sa Pilipinas sa
pamamagitan ng pagsasasagawa ng proyekto katuwang ang mga taong-bayan na makakatugon sa
kanilang problemang pang-komunidad. Sa Kalahi-CIDSS…

The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, officially cited as Republic Act No.
10963, is the initial package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) signed into law by
President Rodrigo Duterte on December 19, 2017.[1] The TRAIN Act is the first of four packages of
tax reforms to the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, or the Tax Code, as amended.[2] This
package introduced changes in personal income tax (PIT),[3] estate tax, donor's tax, value added tax
(VAT), documentary stamp tax (DST) and the excise tax of tobacco products, petroleum products,
mineral products, automobiles, sweetened beverages, and cosmetic procedures.[4]
The prominent features of the tax reform are lower personal income tax and higher consumption tax.
Individual taxpayers with taxable income not exceeding ₱250,000 annually are exempted from
income tax. The exemption for minimum wage earners is retained in the revised tax system. Tax
rates for individual taxpayers still follow the progressive tax system[5] with the maximum rate of 35%,
and minimum rates of 20% (taxable years 2018 to 2022) and 15% (2023 onwards). On the other
hand, consumption taxes, in the form of higher excise tax on tobacco products, petroleum products,
automobiles, tobacco, and additional excise tax on sweetened beverages and non-essential,
invasive cosmetic procedures were introduced. It also expanded the VAT base by repealing
exemption provisions in numerous special laws.
The TRAIN Act is aimed to generate revenue to achieve the 2022 and 2040 vision of
the Duterte administration,[3] namely, to eradicate extreme poverty, to create inclusive institutions that
will offer equal opportunities to all, and to achieve higher income country status. It is also aimed at
making the tax system simpler, fairer and more efficient[6]. Regardless, contentions about the passing
of this law has been present since the beginning and the subsequent reception by the people since
its ratification has been controversial. In the first quarter of 2018, both positive and negative
outcomes have been observed. The economy saw an increase in tax revenues, government
expenditure and an incremental growth in GDP.[7] On the other hand, unprecedented inflation rates
that exceeded projected calculations,[8] has been the cause for much uproar and objections. There
have been petitions to suspend and amend the law, so as to safeguard particular sectors from
soaring prices.[9][10][11]

Ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ay isang hakbang ng pambansang

pamahalaan para sa pagpapabuti ng kalagayang pantao ng ating mga kababayan.
Nagbibigay ito ng kondisyonal na tulong-pinansiyal para sa pinakamahihirap na Pilipino
upang pabutihin ang kalusugan, nutrisyon, at edukasyon ng mga batang may edad 0
hanggang 18 taong gulang. Kailangang matupad ng mga pamilya ang mga kondisyon
ng pamahalaan upang maibigay sa kanila ang tulong-pinansiyal. Halaw ito sa
programang Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) ng mga bansa sa Latin Amerika at
Aprika, na naialpas sa kahirapan ang milyon-milyong tao sa buong mundo.
Ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ang punong ahensiya ng
pamahalaan na namamahala sa 4Ps.

MGA LAYUNIN

May dalawang kambal na  layunin ang 4Ps bilang pangunahing programa kontra-
kahirapan ng administrasyong Aquino:

1. social assistance: pagbibigay ng pinansiyal na tulong sa pinakamahihirap na

mga pamilya upang tugunan ang pangunahin nilang pangangailangan; at
2. social development: pagsira sa siklo ng kahirapang naipapasa sa bawat
henerasyon sa pamamagitan ng pamumuhunan sa kalusugan at edukasyon ng
mahihirap na kabataan. Sasailalim sila sa mga programa tulad ng:
o check-up para sa mga buntis at batang may edad 0 hanggang 5
taong gulang;
o pagpupurga ng bulate ng mga mag-aaral edad 6 hanggang 14;
o pag-eenrol ng mga bata sa daycare, elementarya, at hayskul; at
o mga sesyon na tutulong sa pagpapabuti ng samahan ng pamilya.