NEDA: Eastern Samareños are the poorest in the region

By NINFA B QUIRANTE, PIA Borongan
September 22, 2011

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar  –  Eastern Samareños are the poorest in Eastern Visayas.

This was contained in the first slide presented by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) during the Regional Poverty Assessment held in Borongan City on September 19-20, 2011.

In a presentation made by Assistant Regional Director Purisima Sanopo, she said that from 2003 up to 2009, Eastern Samareños become poorer. The poverty incidence from among families stood at 29.8% in 2003; 37.6% in 2006 and worsen to 45.8% in 2009.

As to individual population, it also increased in percentage from 36.4 in 2003 to 47.8 in 2006 and 54.0 in 2009.

From among other provinces in the region, it was Eastern Samar who ranked number one in poverty incidence with Leyte was the least poor in family and individual population.

Meanwhile, three out of every ten families are poor in Eastern Visayas while four out of every ten individuals are poor.

Eastern Visayans said NEDA is the 5th poorest region in the country in 2009 and the 7th poorest in 2006.

As regards Philippine poverty incidence, it recorded 20.09% in the year 2009.

NEDA reported the different challenges that made the region poor like slow growth in the gross regional domestic product (GRDP), high underemployment, low labor productivity and low agricultural productivity.