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Adjusting poverty threshold: Sen. Joel Villanueva suggests to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) that the government should adjust its poverty threshold standard to reflect the real situation of many Filipinos. “We feel that we need to adjust the poverty threshold to reflect the reality that millions of Filipinos remain poor despite our economic growth,” Villanueva said during Tuesday’s hearing, August 13, 2024, of the Committee on Finance. According to Villanueva, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed that the annual average per capita poverty threshold in 2023 is P33,296 per annum which is equivalent to P2,775 per month or 13, 875 per month with a family of five members, or P92.50 per person. “Is it possible for Filipinos to afford their basic needs such as food, shelter, health, education, and others with P92.50? I don't know where the P92.50 will end up.” he pointed out. Villanueva enumerated the current prices of primary commodities such as rice P45-P65/kg, chicken P180-230/kg, galunggong P180-280/kg, jeepney fare P13, electricity P2,000/month. (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)