Lawmakers debunk Gadon: 'Poverty a real issue’

MANILA — A House leader said on Monday that poverty is a “real issue”, contrary to the claim of Presidential Adviser on Poverty Larry Gadon that it is only "haka-haka" or mere speculation.

House Deputy Speaker David Suarez, however, noted that government is working to address this through programs like the "Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program" (AKAP), which provides assistance to “near-poor” minimum wage earners.

“Poverty is a real issue that we are confronting, but poverty is truly being addressed by the present administration,” Suarez said in a press conference.

“I think what the Marcos administration has done so far to address poverty in the Philippines speaks volumes about his commitment to improve the quality of life of the Filipinos. Recently, sa mga nakita po nating efforts ng ating pamahalaan para maibaba po natin ang mga ayuda papunta sa mga probinsya, sa mga sektor na higit na nangangailangan,” he added.

House Assistant Majority Leader Jefferson Khonghun and Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores also disputed Gadon’s statement on poverty in the country.

“Hindi natin pwedeng sabihin na isa lamang haka-haka ang kahirapan, sapagkat ito ay nararamdaman ng ating mamamayan, ito ay nararamdaman ng ating mga kababayan sa pang araw-araw na kanilang buhay. Kaya lang kasi, ang mga proyekto, programa ng ating pamahalaan ay in place,” Khonghun said.

“Totoo na may poverty pa rin and that's why the House not only has been supporting the programs of the President and the Speaker to alleviate poverty, but we've also been conducting investigations addressing issues on poverty. Lalo na ‘yung pagbawas din natin ng pondo sa 4Ps program, which is very important to those who are below the poverty level. So definitely hindi haka-haka ‘yan and on the part of the House we are doing things to try to help out in alleviating poverty,” Flores added.