SORSOGON POVERTY RATE DROPS; ESCUDERO CREDITS CONTINUITY OF REFORMS

Poverty incidence among families in Sorsogon fell to 15.1 percent in 2025 from 28.4 percent in 2023, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), amid continued efforts to strengthen infrastructure, livelihood opportunities, and social services in the province.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who served as Sorsogon governor from 2019 to 2022, attributed the province’s progress in part to infrastructure and policy reforms implemented during his administration.

While welcoming the latest figures, Escudero emphasized the need to expand livelihood programs, strengthen support for cooperatives, and improve social protection to help more families escape poverty.

He also commended incumbent Governor Boboy Hamor for continuing and enhancing initiatives launched under the previous administration, particularly programs supporting farmers, fisherfolk, and small entrepreneurs.

Escudero stressed that sustaining these initiatives would be crucial to maintaining the province’s progress.

Hamor, for his part, acknowledged the role of previous infrastructure projects, investments in healthcare, and peace and development initiatives in laying the groundwork for Sorsogon’s economic growth.

He said his administration would continue strengthening programs aimed at improving the welfare and livelihoods of Sorsoganons.

PSA data showed that the number of poor families in Sorsogon declined to 32,000 in 2025 from 53,400 in 2023, representing a reduction of approximately 40 percent.

Poverty incidence among individuals also decreased to 21.8 percent from 37.9 percent, while the estimated number of poor individuals fell to 187,700 from 330,400.

Among the infrastructure projects undertaken during Escudero’s tenure as governor were the 15.6-kilometer Sorsogon Coastal Road, the restoration of the Provincial Capitol, the establishment of Museo Sorsogon, and the rehabilitation of Bulusan Lake and tourism facilities in Matnog.

His administration also initiated the construction of the ₱49.5-million Sorsogon Cancer Treatment Center.

During the COVID-19 lockdowns, road construction projects were accelerated to generate employment and stimulate local economic activity. Disaster preparedness efforts at the barangay level were also strengthened.

Other initiatives included a halfway house for former rebels and barangay development projects under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). These projects included farm-to-market roads, water systems, electrification, and livelihood assistance.

The PSA classified Sorsogon under Group 4, covering provinces with poverty incidence of 20 to 30 percent, in 2023. By 2025, the province had moved to Group 5, which covers poverty incidence of 10 to 20 percent.

Sorsogon’s poverty incidence was also lower than the Bicol Region’s average of 16.8 percent.

The PSA further reported that, in 2025, no province in the Philippines recorded a poverty incidence exceeding 30 percent.