Eight records show a slight increase in the poverty indexes of people who consider themselves "newly poor".
In a recent survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), 51% of Filipinos considered themselves poor, 30% rated themselves “borderline”, while 14% claimed to be not poor. A finding which barely changed since the December 2022 survey. Of the more than 14 million Filipinos asked, 6.9% or 1.8 million families considered themselves “non-poor” four years ago, but now labeled themselves poor.
Moreover, around 6.7% or 1.8 million families were poor five or more years ago, while 10.4 million families claimed to have not experienced being poor but experienced being one years ago.
Additionally, Gadon's appointment proves to me that your loyalty to someone, especially with high power, really gets you to places despite your problematic tendencies and dubious qualifications.
Gadon is yet to face six pending cases filed against him at the Office of the Bar Confidant and four cases at the Commission on Bar Discipline of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines aside from the ruling of the High Court to disbar him because of his profane remarks towards veteran journalist Raissa Robles.
Nevertheless, Gadon showed a remarkable nerve to his disbarment as he stated that he was not able to practice law since 2015, so he deemed the verdict as "useless."
Moreover, he confirmed that he is yet to understand the weight of his role as a poverty adviser. In a recent podcast interview with Christian Esguerra, Gadon blurted that he cannot give a proper perspective to the alleviation of poverty as he still waits for the President to define what his function is. He further added that the President will only lay out his tasks, which he will only “micro-manage".
Comical as it is, his aloof understanding of his position clearly speaks volumes to his lacking in competency to maneuver this field of work.
Officiating incompetent officials to posts is never new to the country’s state of governance. Gadon’s appointment is yet another testament to the unserious ruling of the authorities, leading the country to nowhere instead of progress.
For all we know, other people prove to be worthy enough to be appointed, as they have more experience and related background to do the job than Gadon. People who have a genuine concern for the welfare of the poor.
The likes of Atty. Luke Espiritu and Leody de Guzman, to name a few, have laid out strategic plans to alleviate poverty with enough evidence or achievements.
But of course, a tree surely bears fruit of the same kind. If it is bad, then the product would definitely be bad.
The effects of poverty transcend into every aspect of society. It affects individuals which in turn influences the agricultural, educational, and overall, national state of this country. We can only hope that a sort of divine intervention strikes amid this conundrum and shows considerable progress, especially for the poor.
Clearly, the drive of this administration needs to be recalibrated for good. As more incompetent and problematic officials hurdle the country’s post, we must be prepared for the worst, but at the same time hope for the best, for the state of our country.
Article: Jhon Almark E. Dela Cruz
Graphics: Alyssa San Diego
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