PH Showcases Best Practice on Anti-Poverty
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon presents at the United Nations the Philippine experience in applying the multidimensional index (MPI) to eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions. (New York PM photo)
NEW YORK 12 October 2018 – The Philippines underscored the crucial need to use the multidimensional poverty index (MPI) as an alternative measure of poverty during the High-level side-event on “Using the Multidimensional Poverty Index to guide innovative policies in all its dimensions” held on the sidelines of the 73rd Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly High Level Week held at the UN Headquarters in New York on 25 September 2018
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Dr. Rosemarie G. Edillon recalled that the Philippines is an early follower of the research on MPI. The MPI concept and methodology is ready to be presented to the Board of the Philippine Statistics Authority by the fourth quarter of this year.
“I would say that it (MPI) is more relevant in depicting poverty as it is closer to the concept of a comfortable lifestyle; if you are multidimensionally poor, then you are not enjoying a comfortable lifestyle. It is also ideal for identifying the poorest of the poor, as it depicts multiple deprivations. It also provides an objective method for identifying beneficiaries of targeted assistance programs. In addition, it makes for easier and less expensive data collection,” she explained.
The Undersecretary shared that in 2015, NEDA sought to determine the aspirations of Filipinos over the long term, a span of 25 years. She outlined the results into three broad aspirations, as follows: to enjoy strongly-bonded relationships, to live a comfortable lifestyle, and to feel secure about the future.
“Clearly, increasing income is but one of the many factors that figure into the aspirations of Filipinos. Even then, this income should translate into a comfortable lifestyle before it can produce the desired level of satisfaction,” she said.
Participants to the event shared how they are using multidimensional poverty metrics to fight the interlinked features of poverty in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The event also coincided with the launch of the Global MPI 2018 Report by developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).
The event was hosted by the Government of Panama and attended by Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, and UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner. END
For more information, visit www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph/ www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/