GenSan has 2nd lowest poverty incidence in Mindanao

It’s all over the papers this week.

According to reports from Philippine Star and Business World, to name just a few, General Santos City has the second lowest poverty incidence in Mindanao (at 13.98%), based on the latest survey of the National Statistical Coordination Board in the region for 2006.

Topping the list is General Santos’ sister city in Soccsksargen, Kidapawan with a poverty rate of only 12.46%.

Th NSCB refers to “poverty incidence” as the “proportion of population (or families) with per capita income which is less than the per capita poverty threshold to the total number of pupulation (families) of an area“.

In simple terms, this is an indication of the percentage number of people living below the poverty line in a certain area.

Here then is Mindanao’s Top 10 Cities and Municipalities with the lowest poverty incidence or according to Philstar, “Mindanao’s 10 Richest Municipalities” and Cities:

1. Kidapawan City – 12.46%
2. General Santos City –  13.98%
3. Polomolok, South Cotabato – 14.29%
4. Davao City – 14.94%
5. Tagum City – 15.42%
6. Cagayan de Oro City – 15.5%
7. Koronadal City – 16.18%
8. Digos City – 18.22%
9. Padada, Davao del Sur – 21.99%
10. Hagonoy, Davao del Sur – 22.60%.

To all these cities, especially the ones from Region XII (Soccsksargen), congratulations!

And to the administration of GenSan City Mayor Jun Acharon, kudos!