Capiz poverty incidence rises to 9.8% in 2023

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The poverty incidence among families in Capiz rose to 9.8% in 2023.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the rate increased by 3.7 percentage points from the 6.1% recorded in 2021.

PSA-Capiz statistical analyst and Community-Based Monitoring System focal person Fred Feliciano said in a media interview that the data were based on the Family Income and Expenditure Survey, which is conducted every two years.

He said the 2025 FIES had been completed, but its results had not yet been officially released.

Aklan recorded the lowest poverty incidence among families in Western Visayas at 3.1%, possibly reflecting the resilience and recovery of Boracay Island’s tourism industry after the pandemic.

Guimaras posted a poverty incidence among families of 3.8%, lower than its 2021 rate.

Antique, Iloilo province, and Iloilo City also posted lower poverty incidence rates compared with 2021.

In response to the challenge of reducing poverty, the Capiz provincial government is implementing programs such as crop insurance for farmers, technical assistance and guidelines for sustainable livelihood projects, red tide monitoring, job fairs, and aid through Task Force Pagdumdum.

The PSA defines poverty incidence as the proportion of families or individuals whose income falls below the amount needed to meet basic food and nonfood requirements.