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PGMA seeks new strategies vs. poverty, calls for public discourse on agenda for growth
Manila (1 November 2007) -- Determined to lick poverty and ensure that the gains of the growing economy cascade to the marginalized sectors, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) to take the lead in going to the grassroots and "serve as a receptacle for new strategies to defeat poverty."

In a statement, Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said the President directed the NAPC headed by Secretary Domingo Panganiban to keep a tight watch over the implementation of grassroots projects and consolidate plans from government agencies on how best to defeat poverty.

"Let us open the doors to public dialogue on how best to fight poverty and bring our nation closer together," Bunye quoted the President as saying as the nation commemorated All Saints' Day Wednesday.

The President, according to him, would like to hear specific suggestions and creative ideas from the people on how a reinvigorated partnership for growth between the government and the citizenry could be achieved.

She also called for broad and non-partisan public discourse on a national agenda for growth and development to reinvigorate the country's democracy, Bunye said.

Despite the gains made by the Arroyo administration's tough fiscal reforms, poverty remains a formidable hurdle, although NAPC Assistant Secretary Dolores Castillo said the country's financial stability, plus a combination of government social services, including subsidies for food and medicines, have helped reduce the incidence of extreme poverty in the country.

Last month, thousands of Filipinos joined an international campaign to end global poverty by making a symbolic rejection of excuses for the poverty-related death of 50,000 people every day throughout the world, and the growing gap between rich and poor.

The "Stand Up, Speak Out" pledge was part of the United Nations campaign to promote the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) that include eradicating extreme poverty, hunger and achieving universal primary education.

"We would like to be one with the others in commemorating our fight against poverty," Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral said." It is a gesture that we recognize our effort to fight poverty." (OPS)

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