ILOILO — Western Visayas has achieved a landmark developmental milestone, recording a sharp decline in family poverty incidence from 9.8 percent in 2023 to 5.2 percent in 2025. This remarkable progress aligns with President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.'s directives for inclusive growth and national poverty reduction.
A Fast-Growing Regional Economy
The poverty reduction coincided with Western Visayas securing its position as the fastest-growing regional economy in the Philippines. The region posted a robust Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth rate of 6.4 percent in 2025. Today, Western Visayas boasts a P683.44 billion economy, ranking as the 8th largest in the country.
The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Region 6, formerly NEDA, presented these achievements during the Regional Development Plan midterm updates. The agency's transition into a full-fledged department under Republic Act No. 12145 has strengthened its capacity to drive developmental outcomes.
Growth That Reaches the Grassroots
DEPDev 6 Regional Director Engineer Arecio Casing Jr. emphasized that economic growth is meaningless if it leaves the poor behind. He stressed that the region's expansion, driven by tourism and IT-BPO industries, has successfully trickled down to marginalized communities.
"We do not want to see a region with very high growth but very high poverty," Casing noted. The data shows growth happening across all levels, including the lowest sectors. This equitable development is attributed to efficient grassroots program implementation by regional line agencies.
Beyond Household Income
Chief Economic Development Specialist Joyalita Tigres explained that poverty incidence extends beyond income. It encompasses access to service delivery and basic services like education, health, and social protection. The decline was felt universally across all provinces in the region.
Tigres confirmed that all provinces in Western Visayas reduced poverty incidence. This positions the region among those with the lowest poverty rates nationwide. The progress represents meaningful improvement in the quality of life for thousands of families.
Direct Impact on Iloilo
As the principal urban hub of Region 6, Iloilo City sits at the epicenter of this expansion. The growing IT-BPO sector and services industry provide more higher-paying jobs for local graduates. Commercial vibrancy boosts employment in hospitality, retail, construction, and MSMEs.
The reduction in poverty indicates that economic gains are reaching lower-income households. Families now have greater access to healthcare, education, social safety nets, and modern infrastructure. Iloilo's UNESCO Creative City status further attracts tourist spending and business expansion.
Collective Action for Continued Progress
Despite the gains, DEPDev acknowledges remaining challenges including poverty in vulnerable communities, food security issues, climate risks, and infrastructure gaps. Tigres called on local governments to align budgets with the regional agenda.
"The regional development plan is not just a government document. This is the shared responsibility of every individual, every sector, every line agency or LGU," she stated. Casing reiterated the department's vision that development should be felt by everyone, not only the selected few.
