DA aims to reduce poverty incidence in Samar

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) has targeted to reduce poverty incidence in Samar Island by 25 percent in the next three years, in line with the Duterte administration’s thrust of increased food production and poverty alleviation.

Agriculture chief Manny Piñol will focus on the country’s top 10 poorest provinces which include Eastern, Northern and Western Samar.

The Philippine Statistics Authority has identified Eastern Samar as the second poorest area with poverty incidence per family of 55.4 percent and Northern and Western Samar at ninth and tenth, respectively, both with 43.5 percent.

Through a strategy called Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD), Piñol said the DA would look at the weaknesses of an area, its potentials in food production and provide livelihood programs.

For Samar Island, the focus of the SAAD will be in livelihood projects for agriculture and fisheries, as well as family-based agro-forestry program.

“A SAAD Project Management Team will be established, to be composed both of technical people from the DA and the province, and together they will identify the problems confronting the area and find solutions to address these,” Piñol said.

“When these are identified, the DA and other agencies, who may be involved, will come in and provide funding support for the programs. The focus would be on livelihood programs which are proven to be sure-fire formula in addressing poverty,” he said.

Piñol earlier said the strategy will only work depending on the maturity of political leaders in the areas.