ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region IX signed a data sharing agreement with DSWD Field Office IX,  which gives them the authority to acquire and use the data of the poor generated during the Listahanan household assessment in 2019.

DOLE IX is the first external public stakeholder to make use of the results of Listahanan 3. Since the inception of the database of poor households in 2009, the agency has always been supportively utilizing the information management system for the development, planning, and implementation of its social protection programs and/or services.

During the said activity, DOLE’s Assistant Regional Director, Imelda F. Gatinao, and DSWD’s Listahanan Regional Field Coordinator, Michael DS. Mustafa led the signing of the partnership agreement.

According to the latest results of Listahanan 3 as of 31 December 2022; in Region 9, out of the 706,844 households assessed, 53.06% or 375,070 were identified as poor. This translates to 1,855,400 individuals living in poverty.

In addition, 59% or 1,086,137 of the identified poor individuals are part of the labor force.

Among the labor force, 43%, or 463,450 were employed at the time of the assessment while those who did not report occupation, job, or business constitute 57% or 622,687 identified poor individuals.

The most common occupation among the poor belongs to the agricultural sector with 203,249 farm workers, foresters, and fisherfolks. This is followed by elementary occupations with 128,944 and service sales workers at 50,663.

As of now, Listahanan is the only database that tells who and where the poor are nationwide. It provides a credible and objective means of identifying potential beneficiaries of social protection programs and services.

It is data-driven and evidence-based. Moreover, it utilizes a scientific method with standardized criteria to identify the poor and undergoes a validation process that involves community participation. With its own tool, the data are collected through a comprehensive, impartial, and transparent house-to-house assessment.

By maximizing its use, local governments, national agencies, and other private stakeholders can save on resources and allocate more budget to the implementation of their poverty-reduction initiatives. ###

*Published on 4 April 2023