The Commission on Human Rights joins countries around the world in observing the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Poverty is an assault to human rights and a violation of human dignity. In 2018, poverty remains an everyday struggle for more than 23 million Filipinos based on the data of Philippine Statistics Authority. Until today, we are still confronted with a high incidence of hunger, inability to afford housing, increasing criminality rate driven by lack of resources, and lack of access to basic social services such as education and health. Poverty is not only limited to economic deprivation but also implies significant and overlapping social, cultural and political deprivations. It exposes individuals to further daunting barriers to enjoy a decent and adequate standard of living that enables one’s physical, mental, moral and social development.

From a human rights perspective, due attention should be given to the critical vulnerabilities that accompany poverty. It erodes fundamental civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. Beyond economic scarcity, poverty denies people access to justice and exacerbates the cycle of impunity. Indeed, poverty is both a cause and a consequence of human rights violations.

The issue of poverty is a multidimensional challenge that requires multifaceted response and a whole-of-government approach. The Commission recognises the full participation of people living in poverty to make their concerns heard, and acknowledge that they should be at the centre of every solution in the fight against destitution. We remind the government that as Filipinos living in poverty constitute a majority of the population, their needs and aspirations must always be prioritised and not only those of the privileged few. Economic opportunities must be expanded not just within urban centers but should be distributed in developing areas in the country to set an equal playing field for everyone who wants to improve their situation.

Denying people the chance to get out of poverty will leave them stuck in the cycle of powerlessness and injustice. Using human rights norms and principles can help guide States to ensure that poverty alleviation and eradication efforts reach the poorest members of the society and that special protections are in place to uphold their rights.

To mark this day, we abide by the words of the former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan that, “Wherever we lift one soul from a life of poverty, we are defending human rights. And whenever we fail in this mission, we are failing human rights.”###