MAY 28, 2026
OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental — Misamis Occidental is strengthening its efforts to address poverty at the grassroots level through evidence-based planning and closer coordination among government agencies and local communities.
The initiative continued on May 28 through an orientation-seminar on the Magna Carta of the Poor and the formulation process for the Local Poverty Reduction Action Plan (LPRAP), following the province’s Anti-Poverty Summit held in February.
The summit brought together national government agencies, local government units and various sectors to identify poverty-related concerns and develop coordinated responses guided by the province’s 5Ms principle: “Misamisnon Magpuyong Malinawon, Malambuon ug Malipayon.”
The orientation was attended by Vice Governor Rowena “Wheng” Gutierrez, representing Governor Henry S. Oaminal; Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region X Director Bruce Colao; and National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary Lope B. Santos, represented by NAPC Regional Coordinating Officer Perigine Cayadong.
Mayors, provincial board members, department heads, local government operations officers, and city and municipal planning and development coordinators from across the province also participated.
Colao said poverty reduction requires more than separate programs implemented by individual agencies and local governments. He emphasized the importance of evidence-based planning, saying poverty reduction strategies should be based on actual poverty data and the needs identified by communities rather than assumptions or purely administrative targets.
The approach is consistent with the provincial government’s push for greater community participation in development planning.
Despite Misamis Occidental’s strong economic performance, provincial officials acknowledged that economic growth must continue to translate into improvements in the lives of residents, particularly those in vulnerable communities.
The province has been recognized as the fastest-growing economy in Northern Mindanao and ranked 15th among 82 provinces in the 2024 competitiveness rankings.
Officials, however, said these indicators do not eliminate the need to address poverty at the community level.
During the open forum, mayors and local officials discussed concerns and recommendations that could be incorporated into their respective LPRAPs, drawing from the data and issues identified during the February Anti-Poverty Summit.
Participants also emphasized that poverty-related concerns should not only be addressed through local action plans but, when necessary, elevated through policy recommendations at the national level.
As a next step, local government units are set to participate in a formulation workshop with the DILG and NAPC beginning in July.
The workshop will help translate the issues and data gathered through the anti-poverty initiatives into concrete local strategies and programs.
For provincial officials, the process is intended to ensure that the Magna Carta of the Poor goes beyond being a policy framework and becomes a basis for coordinated action that addresses the actual needs of Misamisnons.
Through continued coordination among national agencies, local governments and communities, Misamis Occidental aims to strengthen its poverty reduction efforts while ensuring that its economic gains are reflected in improved opportunities and living conditions at the grassroots level.
