4 CENTRAL MINDANAO PROVINCES AMONG COUNTRY’S 10 POORES

By Ali G. Macabalang

Manila Bulletin

Cotabato City — The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) released lately the updated list of 10 poorest provinces in the country, ranking Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, both components of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), first and fourth, respectively in high poverty incidence.

The NAPC report, which the online news source Facts, Answers and Questions about the Philippines (FAQ.ph) has publicized, showed North Cotabato as a new member of the 10 poorest provinces’ circle.

Like Sarangani, a long standing member of the bracket, North Cotabato is largely a Catholic province.

The anti-poverty agency released the report as part of its observance of the National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty on October 17-23 with theme, “Building a sustainable future: Coming together to end poverty and discrimination.”

The annual event is pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation No. 269 of 1993, declaring October 17 as “National Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty,” and Presidential Proclamation No. 717 of 2004, declaring October 17-23 as “National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty.”

It complements the United Nations’ “International Day for the Eradication of Poverty” on Oct. 17, 2015.

(Composite photos of poor families downloaded from newsflash.org.)