To find real solutions: Expand definition of poverty beyond numbers

Poverty, as defined by Republic Act No. 8425, or the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act, includes families and individuals whose income falls below the poverty line. These people face the terrible reality of being unable to meet their basic necessities consistently due to financial constraints. These necessities include food, shelter, clothing, education, health care, and other fundamental elements required for a decent standard of living.

But poverty is much more complex than the definition provided by law. It’s not just about lacking financial resources; it’s also about lacking access to education, health care, and other opportunities. So, it’s important to redefine what it means to be poor and understand the various socioeconomic challenges that individuals face.

For instance, individuals who lack access to government services have considerable challenges in their efforts to improve their socioeconomic standing and are more likely to be classed as poor. The provision of health care, education, and social welfare activities is critical to breaking the cycle of poverty. It is critical for the government to emphasize the provision of essential services, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of socioeconomic background, has equal opportunities to grow and improve their living conditions.

RA 11291, or the Act Providing for a Magna Carta of the Poor, mandates the government to build a comprehensive framework that ensures the fulfillment of vital rights for the poor. These rights include: (1) the right to appropriate nutrition; (2) the right to dignified employment; (3) the right to relevant and quality education; (4) the right to adequate housing; and (5) the right to the best possible health. This law also requires the establishment of a strong social protection system and an effective benefit-targeting mechanism. The passage of RA 11291 demonstrates the government’s commitment to resolving the suffering of the poor. This law attempts to improve their living situations by recognizing and protecting their fundamental rights.

Redefining poverty means understanding that it’s not just about money. It’s about a person’s overall well-being, what they can achieve, and the quality of services they receive from the government. Sure, someone might not have a lot of cash, but they could have other valuable things like knowledge, skills, or a strong support system. When we see poverty as a complex issue, we can start to tackle the challenges that keep people stuck in poverty.

But we can’t stop there. Poverty needs to be redefined to include the bigger problems that keep inequality and marginalization going strong. People with low incomes and communities are hit harder by things like discrimination, lack of resources, and limited opportunities to move up in society. If we want to find real solutions, we have to look beyond just giving out money. We need to help people overcome the bigger obstacles and strive for a better life.

We need to expand our definition of “poor” to include all the things that contribute to poverty, like feeling isolated, not having access to important government services, and facing prejudice. Once we start seeing poverty in this broader way, we can start coming up with more effective ways like responsive policies and laws to fight it and create a society that’s fair and inclusive.

REGINALD B. TAMAYO,
Marikina City