DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian
IN what appears to be a jab smack on the face of Presidential Adviser Larry Gadon, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian insisted that poverty is a reality in the Philippines.
“Totoo po ang kahirapan, patuloy po nating nilalabanan ang kahirapan,” Gatchalian said in response to the “haka-haka lang” claim made by the Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation.
Gadon on Friday took a swipe at the critics of the Marcos administration over poverty issues and went as far as describing complaints as no more than “haka-haka,” which translates to “imaginary” in English language.
Gadon said the fact that malls and fast food chains are filled to the raft with people and roads on a standstill because of the volume of cars, are proof that Filipinos have high purchasing power.
The DSWD chief for his part vowed to sustain the momentum of addressing the poverty in the country through various programs.
“Patuloy kaming humuhubog ng iba’t ibang programa para maibsan ang kahirapan ng ating taumbayan,” he added.
Previously President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. gave Gatchalian a marching order on day one of his assumption as DSWD Secretary – to reduce poverty rate in the Philippines in single digits before his term expires in 2028.
Government figures hinted at a poverty rate of 22.4 percent in 2023. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
