MARAWI City—Seven years after the Marawi Siege, the poverty level in Lanao del Sur has improved based on current Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) figures, thereby excluding the province from the list of the “Top 10 Poorest Provinces” in Mindanao.
Lanao del Sur Vice Gov. Mohammad Khalid Raki-in Adiong broke the good news over a radio program Friday as residents planted trees in commemoration of the Marawi City liberation from the seven-month siege in 2017.
The 2023 PSA list of poorest provinces released recently was based on its 2021 Survey on Threshold Poverty Incidence, showing poverty figures with Zamboanga del Norte at 47.6 percent; Basilan, 46.2 percent; Maguindanao del Sur, 43.3 percent; Tawi-Tawi, 41.8 percent; Lanao del Norte, 41.5 percent ; Maguindanao del Norte, 40.3 percent; Zamboanga del Sur, 40.1 percent; Davao Oriental, 38.9 percent; Sultan Kudarat, 34.3 percent, and Agusan del Sur, 32.2 percent.
“I am pleased to inform my fellow Bangsa-Meranaw that Lanao del Sur is no longer listed among the poorest provinces in Mindanao since 2021, according to the latest poverty incidence data released recently for the 2023 figures,” Adiong said.
He described the significant improvement as a “testament to our collective efforts and resilience for the betterment of our province.”
“As your Vice Governor, I will continue to work diligently to further enhance our province's development and ensure a better future for all. Together, we will strive for greater progress and prosperity,” Adiong said.
