President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. promised to continue pursuing efforts to fight poverty in the country and stabilize the prices of basic goods and food items, especially rice.

Highlighting the country’s economic status and prospects in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday, President Marcos said the country stayed the course despite the headwinds it faced.

According to the President, the country exhibits healthy signs of post-pandemic resilience comparable to strong economies in the region.

“Our poverty rate has significantly dropped to 15.5 percent, down from 18 percent in 2021. This present figure is even lower than the pre-pandemic level of 16.7 percent in 2018. Ang katumbas nito ay halos dalawa’t kalahating milyong Pilipino ang naiangat natin mula sa kahirapan,” Marcos said.

“Kasabay nito, nabawasan nang lagpas isang milyon at pitong daang libo ang bilang ng mga Pilipinong walang sapat na pambili ng pagkain. Patuloy nating pagsisikapan na marami pa tayong ma-i-aahon mula sa kahirapan,” he added.

The President expressed high optimism that the country could overcome all the stumbling blocks that the country is encountering with the current government efforts.

“Dahil ito ang pangunahing hinaing ng taumbayan, hindi tayo titigil sa [paglaban] sa kahirapan, at sa paghahanap ng lunas upang maibalik sa normal ang presyo ng bilihin — lalo na ang bigas” he vowed. PND