Rappler's latest stories on poverty
Pandemic could push 45 million in Latin America into poverty – U.N.
The United Nations foresees a 7% rise in Latin America's poverty rate in 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic hits the region's most vulnerable populations
Malnutrition in poorer nations costs firms up to $850 billion – study
Researchers stress that action to tackle malnutrition is in businesses' best interests
Pandemic may push 50 million Africans into extreme poverty – AfDB
The African Development Bank says Nigeria, the continent's most populous country, would see the greatest rise in poverty
Expect increase in poverty as COVID-19 ushers in Duterte's 4th year
Though survey results for poverty in 2020 aren't in yet, experts say Filipinos will experience an increase in hunger and poverty in the coming months
[OPINION] We need to treat informal workers better from now on
'Let’s include the Nanay Celias, Kuya Bons, and Manang Sols in our discussions. Let’s talk about a new reality where they are afforded the same benefits their counterparts in the formal economy enjoy.'
[OPINION | Dash of SAS] A love letter to our jeepney drivers
'Our tatay jeepney drivers have not only been stripped of their livelihood, they have also been stripped of their dignity. For the first time, we are seeing our jeepney drivers begging on the street.'
[OPINION] Understanding the power of privilege
'Come July 1, 2020, voter registration will finally resume. That opens up another avenue where we could put our privilege to good use.'
IN PHOTOS: ‘My jeepney, our home’
Without a home and livelihood for nearly 3 months because of the coronavirus lockdown, driver Julius Evangelista and his family live inside his jeepney
Elevated extreme poverty to persist until 2021 – World Bank
Extreme poverty is defined as living on $1.90 per day
Filipinos can now receive cash aid from gov't via PayMaya
Beneficiaries can go to Smart Padala branches to retrieve the funds from their PayMaya e-wallet
[EDITORIAL] Bangungot ng Kamaynilaan: Lalong humihirap ang maging mahirap
Sa gitna ng lumalalang antas ng pamumuhay sa kalunsuran dulot ng congestion at trapiko, at banta pa sa kalusugan dulot ng virus – saan lulugar ang pobreng mahirap?
Pope calls for end to 'pandemic of poverty' after virus
'All the suffering will be of no use if we do not build together a more just, more equitable, more Christian society, not in name but in reality,' says Pope Francis
[ANALYSIS] Why make the poor pay for the coronavirus response?
'It’s all a bizarre repeat of TRAIN where the poor are made to pay more so the rich can pay less. This time around, amid the COVID-19 crisis, the rich will benefit from the biggest corporate tax break in Philippine history.'
[FIRST PERSON] Dilemmas for the urban poor in Barangay Doña Imelda, QC
'The barangay should have a bulletin board with reliable, complete, and updated information. Otherwise, the spread of rumors and unverified information creates confusion, even fear.'
World Bank warns pandemic could push 60 million into extreme poverty
The coronavirus pandemic could erase 'all the progress made in poverty alleviation in the past 3 years'
[OPINION] Happy in Happyland: Notes from Tondo during the lockdown
'What really struck me about visiting Happyland is that life there goes on'
[ANALYSIS] Hard choices in Slip Zero, Barangay 20, Tondo, Manila
'Hindi po kami namamalimos sa gobyerno. Marunong kaming mag-hanapbuhay. Pero ngayon nawala sa amin yun. Paano na kami, paano na ang pamilya namin?' asks community leader Bernadette Sabalza
[OPINION] Learning from Kagawad Jonjon Elago
'When making promises, [the government should] indicate clearly the length of time needed for recipients to experience the results'
[FIRST PERSON] Beyond health: The virus' impact on the people of Del Pan Bridge
'Mr President, just instruct your officials to tell the truth about the kinds of relief national government can actually give us. Don’t let people build up their hopes then leave them disappointed.'
Rising unemployment from virus fight threatens China's poverty targets
Analysts say China could lose around 18 million jobs in the export sector due to the coronavirus pandemic
[OPINION] A reflection on Kap Mena, Estero de San Miguel, and the coronavirus
'Anguished questions are raised again and again. How will they manage until the money arrives? How long must the money be made to last? And then what? When can they start working again? Will they still have jobs once the lockdown is lifted?'
[FIRST PERSON] Barangay Captain Filomena Cinco speaks on the coronavirus
'President Duterte! Make sure that food packs, rice subsidies, or any help at all for our families reach us soon. We will not die from COVID-19 but from hunger!'
[ANALYSIS] The Philippine gov't should get cash into the hands of the poor, now
'Instead of halting [cash transfer] programs the government should be distributing these (with no strings attached) to poor and newly-vulnerable populations'
[ANALYSIS] We need safe, clean water during the coronavirus pandemic
What pro-poor solutions could be considered to reduce inequalities in the time of coronavirus, particularly in ensuring access to water?
Perfect storm: Coronavirus imperils Asia's sprawling slums
The deadly coronavirus pandemic looms over hundreds of millions packed into Asia's massive slums, where staying clean is nearly impossible and people have to leave their homes daily to survive
[OPINION] Let’s not forget the poor during the coronavirus pandemic
'Not everyone has clean, running water and soap. Not everyone can call in sick. Not everyone can afford to stock up on food.'
World Bank to attack poverty in conflict zones
The World Bank has $18.7 billion earmarked for conflict-affected countries through its poverty-reduction grant arm
13.1 million Filipino families consider themselves poor, says SWS survey
The end of 2019 result of the SWS survey for self-rated poor families is the highest in 5 years
[OPINION] To improve the Philippines, Filipinos should have something to live for
Do you have any intention or ambition to contribute to the country?
[OPINION] How millennials are helping informal settlers and the homeless
It is precisely because we millennials are socially aware and innovative that we are needed in the public sector
[OPINION] P10,727 a month? Why numerical estimates shouldn't be taken that seriously
Can an average Filipino family of 5 really survive on P10,727 per month?
[ANALYSIS] Making sense of the surprisingly good jobs, poverty stats
Moving forward, government must make sure growth lifts all boats, and no region is left behind. Inclusivity is key.
Poverty in Philippines falls in 2018
With poverty incidence falling to 16.6% in 2018, the Philippine government says it is on track to meet its target of 14% by 2022
War against drugs or war against poverty?
Three generations are caught in two conflicting government programs
[ANALYSIS] How Duterte’s drug war is negating key anti-poverty programs
For as long as Duterte’s drug war continues, existing policies meant to alleviate poverty will only come off as futile, insincere, and hypocritical
[ANALYSIS] Why this year’s Nobel Prize in Economics is relevant to Filipinos
It's a testament to the power of research, scientific thinking, and empirical evidence in the crafting and implementation of economic policies and programs
Yemen to become world's poorest country if war continues – U.N.
'If fighting continues through 2022, Yemen will rank the poorest country in the world,' according to a United Nations Development Programme report
DILG to local governments: Cooperate in DSWD's data collection or face sanction
The DSWD's data collection of the poorest families in the country has not been totally successful because of communication lapses with barangay officials
In Kosovo, Roma's recycling work is unsung, underpaid
Scavenging in the European state of Kosovo is often left in the hands of marginalized Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities, who earn as little as 8 euros on a good day
American poverty fell in 2018 but more lack health insurance – U.S. Census
Data show government health coverage intended for the poorest Americans weakened in 2018, notably affecting large numbers of children
How Solar Para Sa Bayan plans to end energy poverty by 2022
The plan is for power outages to become a thing of the past, even in remote areas
'Record-low' number of Filipino families who consider themselves poor in Q1 2019
Based on the results of the March 2019 SWS survey, 9.5 million families consider themselves poor, down from 11.6 million families in December 2018
Kaka Bag-ao: Poverty, inequality are the 'enemies' in Dinagat Islands
'Laban ito para ipakita sa kanila na iyong kahirapan...hindi iyan normal,' says Dinagat Islands Governor-elect Kaka Bag-ao
Budget delay kept 420,000 Filipinos poor – economic team
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III says the budget impasse showed 'how politicking could harm people'
COA: P49-M fund remains idle under National Anti-Poverty Commission
State auditors urge the National Anti-Poverty Commission and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to extend the validity of their original agreement to properly use the funding
Northern Mindanao economy grows to 7% in 2018
Together with the prosperity, poverty incidence in the region also dipped to 25% from 35% in 2017
[ANALYSIS] How the TRAIN law worsened poverty, inequality
Keep in mind that a number of lawmakers seeking reelection today advocated for the TRAIN law or otherwise helped push it forward
[ANALYSIS] How well are we measuring PH poverty?
It’s high time we updated how we measure poverty in the Philippines
[ANALYSIS] On poverty lines and counting the poor
Let us not focus on the trees and not see the forest. We have to get our act together and adopt a whole-of-nation approach to ensure that no Filipino will be in poverty by 2030 or even 2040.
[OPINION] Game of poverty
'Poverty has become so normalized that society tends to believe that the only solution to get out from it is hard work – as if being poor is the lack of an individual’s will to get out from poverty'
