By Lane Afable, News Editor
In line with the national government’s whole-of-nation approach to poverty reduction, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has called on all local government units (LGUs) to accelerate the implementation and development of Local Poverty Reduction Action Plans (LPRAPs), positioning local governments at the forefront of delivering targeted, community-based interventions.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier emphasized that reducing poverty remains achievable despite the ongoing energy and oil crisis, stressing that the national government continues to roll out social safety nets to protect vulnerable sectors and help Filipino families cope with rising challenges.
The DILG said the LPRAP serves as a critical governance tool that ensures anti-poverty programs are responsive to the actual needs of communities. It provides the policy direction for LGUs in crafting strategic, inclusive, and results-driven interventions tailored to their respective localities.
The Department stressed that translating these plans into concrete policies, programs, and budget priorities will enable LGUs to deliver lasting and measurable improvements in the lives of disadvantaged and underserved sectors.
To further strengthen local implementation, the DILG and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) signed a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) aimed at aligning grassroots initiatives with the national target of reducing poverty incidence to nine percent by 2028.
The DILG also reaffirmed its commitment to fully support LGUs through capacity development initiatives, technical assistance, and policy guidance to ensure the effective formulation and implementation of their respective LPRAPs.
To date, 195 LPRAP formulation workshops have been conducted across nine focus provinces: Romblon, Leyte, Northern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Dinagat Islands.
Meanwhile, orientation seminars were successfully rolled out across all 82 provinces from 2023 to 2024, further strengthening local capacities in planning, coordination, and implementation.
The initiative has likewise gained positive public feedback, with stakeholders recognizing its strong focus on empowering marginalized communities by actively involving them in local development planning and advancing targeted, community-driven anti-poverty strategies.
“Poverty reduction cannot be achieved by the national government alone. Strong and responsive local governments remain crucial in ensuring that programs reach the communities that need them most and that no Filipino is left behind,” the DILG said.
