BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Poverty often passes from one generation to the next when families have limited access to education, health care, and livelihood opportunities, said National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary Lope Santos III, as he emphasized that ending intergenerational poverty is key to long-term progress.
Santos explained in an interview over PTV Cordillera, that intergenerational poverty happens when children grow up facing the same barriers their parents encountered, making it difficult for families to improve their economic situation over time.
“When parents are poor, their children and grandchildren are more likely to face the same challenges. It becomes a cycle that is hard to escape without targeted intervention,” he said.
Education, health as foundation
Santos said breaking the cycle requires sustaining programs that uphold the rights of poor Filipinos to quality education, health, decent housing, decent work, and adequate food under the Magna Carta of the Poor.
Among the government’s key interventions is the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a conditional cash transfer program that helps families send children to school and comply with health requirements.
Under the program, beneficiaries must ensure regular school attendance of children, while pregnant women are required to undergo prenatal and postnatal care and children must receive proper health checkups.
“4Ps is not just about giving aid, it is about changing the trajectory of families. We want children to grow up with the tools their parents did not have,” Santos said.
He also cited free basic education, free tuition in state universities and colleges, and technical-vocational training from TESDA as important tools in helping young Filipinos gain better opportunities for employment or entrepreneurship.
Nutrition, early care
The NAPC official also stressed the importance of nutrition and early childhood care in preventing long-term disadvantages.
Programs such as the First 1,000 Days of Life aim to support infants and young children during their most critical growth period, helping prevent stunting and malnutrition that can affect learning and development later in life.
The School-Based Feeding Program likewise supports learners from Kindergarten to Grade 6 by providing nutritious meals that help improve health and school performance.
Whole-of-nation approach
Santos said NAPC serves as a coordinating body that helps align efforts among national government agencies, local government units, and the private sector to reach the most vulnerable sectors, including Indigenous Peoples, farmers, fisherfolk, and communities in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
“Breaking the cycle requires more than one program. It needs a comprehensive approach that addresses income, services, environment, and participation in governance,” he said.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, poverty incidence among individuals declined from 18.1percent in 2021 to 15.5% in 2023, reflecting continued improvement in poverty reduction efforts.
Officials said sustained investments in human development remain essential to further reduce poverty and expand opportunities for Filipino families. **JDP/MAWC-PIA-CAR
