Five wishes that could end poverty

Five wishes that could end poverty

- ARIEL NEPOMUCENO

Poverty in our country is neither a mystery nor an accident. It is the inevitable outcome of decades of policy choices, governance gaps and collective tolerance for inequality. If we all want to make 2026 a genuine historical turning point, we must be totally honest about what needs to be changed - and wish for this loudly and courageously.

As we have entered the new year 2026, the big question to ourselves is not whether poverty can be ended, but whether we finally have the strength and will to end it. I’ve listed at least five crucial wishes for the Philippines on how to begin ending poverty which is almost in every corner of the country.

First, I wish for decent jobs that truly pay enough for a family to live on. Economic growth as expressed by numerical reports means little when wages lag far behind the cost of living, which seems to rise constantly with inflation now forecasted to be in the vicinity of two to four percent. In many regions, especially in the rural areas, full-time work does not guarantee dignity. For this new year, we should wish for an aggressive job creation in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, tourism and services. This must be coupled with realistic minimum wages and stronger enforcement of labor laws. Freedom from poverty means families are not merely surviving but rather, they are lifted way above the poverty threshold.