Manila, April 9 -- The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) on Wednesday touted progress in the government's poverty reduction efforts, citing a drop in poverty and the rollout of over PHP600 billion in anti-poverty programs in 2024.

In a 'Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon' interview over PTV, NAPC Secretary Lope Santos III cited data from the family income and expenditure survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showing a decline in "food poor" population, or subsistence incidence, from 5.9 percent in 2021 to 4.3 percent in 2023.

In addition, a survey by the National Nutrition Council showed a decrease in incidents of underweight and stunting.

"Mayroong impact ang ating mga programa laban sa mga kagutuman, particularly itong mga n...