BY: ANGELICA ARQUERO
This has been the reality for Tatay Jhun, who has been without a permanent job for seven years.
Because of this, he juggles multiple jobs, from being a boatman to assisting people renting bikes at Burnham Park, all for the sake of his wife and four children.
According to Jhun Fontanilla, a masseur, “By God’s grace, we manage to make ends meet, but we really do everything we can to hopefully improve our family’s life. It’s tough because you have to work twice as hard for your family.”
Despite working all day, Tatay Jhun only earns 500 pesos daily.
Yet, the big question remains: will their lives improve?
“It’s difficult because, compared to the wealthy who can relax, we have to push our bodies to the limit just to earn enough, and it’s still not enough, ma’am. It’s still tough, ma’am. But where would I complain? I can’t complain to those in power, right?” he added.
In contrast, John immediately found a job as a teacher.
“Of course, over time, once you’re in public school, your salary increases, and that’s enough for me and my family,” said John Luis Carlos, an ALS Teacher.
As many struggle with rising prices, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. targets improving Filipinos’ lives by 2025.
According to the President, it’s possible for the Philippines to achieve an upper-middle-income status.
Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed, “With strong macroeconomic fundamentals, we are confident that the country will hit the GNI per capita range set by the World Bank to achieve upper-middle-income status.”
Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority, a family is considered upper-middle-income if they earn 379,000 pesos to 495,000 pesos annually.
Lower-middle-income families earn between 244,000 pesos to 267,000 pesos per year, while near-poor to poor families earn 177,000 pesos to 216,000 pesos annually.
Families earning 755,000 pesos and above are classified as wealthy.
However, a recent study by the Social Weather Stations in the last quarter of 2024 revealed that the number of poor families in the country has increased.
From 16.3 million families claiming they were poor in September, this figure rose to 17.4 million by December.
This means 57% of Filipinos consider themselves poor, compared to 48% in 2022 and 2023.
Despite this, the PSA remains optimistic that Filipinos’ lives can still improve.
Aldrin Federico R. Bahit Jr., Chief Statistical Specialist, PSA CAR, stated, “The current average annual family income in the Philippines is 353,000 pesos. Just a few hundred thousand more, and with strong economic progress, we’re getting closer.”
The agency also noted a decrease in poverty incidence in the Cordillera region.
According to their survey, the region’s annual family income increased compared to other areas in the country.
Cordillera families’ annual income is at 359,000 pesos, compared to the national average of 353,000 pesos.
This growth was attributed to the rise of online businesses and the expansion of the digital economy.
