VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon – Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri presented the 2023 state of poverty across Bukidnon’s two cities and 20 municipalities during the Bukidnon 2026 Anti-Poverty Summit held on February 27, 2026, at Hotel de Susana, Valencia City

A press statement from the Bukidnon Provincial Government noted that Senator Zubiri, in his “Report to the People,” cited data from the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2023 report (Poverty Incidence among Population by Province), noting that Bukidnon ranked 26th nationally.

At the city and municipal level, the towns with the highest poverty incidence were Talakag (40.5%), San Fernando (35.6%), Damulog (35.4%), Malitbog (34.6%), Impasugong (33.2%), Lantapan (32.6%), Cabanglasan (31.6%), Kadingilan (30.6%), Kitaotao (30.5%), Sumilao (30.3%), Kibawe (28.9%), Pangantucan (28.5%), Kalilangan (28.5%), Baungon (28.3%), Libona (28.2%), Dangcagan (27.8%), Quezon (26.8%), Don Carlos (25.0%), Malaybalay City (22.9%), Manolo Fortich (21.8%), Valencia City (20.8%), and Maramag (20.4%).

Senator Zubiri emphasized that while Bukidnon is recognized as a major food basket and ranks among the top 10 provinces in terms of Gross Value Added (GVA) in agriculture, forestry, and fishery (AFF), as well as in farm products and livestock, there remains a pressing need to address the basic needs of the population to effectively reduce poverty.

He highlighted the accomplishments of the first and second Anti-Poverty Summits and presented the poverty situation across all 22 local government units in the province. He also underscored challenges that require accountability from government officials and stakeholders in Bukidnon. Speaking before regional directors of key government agencies, Senator Zubiri outlined concrete steps and strategies to address poverty incidence in the province.

A key focus of the summit was the flagship program of Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque—the Coffee Program—aligned with the strengthened Bukidnon Coffee Roadmap developed and implemented by the Bukidnon Coffee Industry Council.

Five Bukidnon representatives delivered messages of support, pledging strong backing for initiatives jointly promoted by Senator Zubiri and Governor Roque.

In his welcome remarks, Governor Roque stated that poverty cannot be measured by income alone. It is shaped by access to opportunities, quality education, health programs, sustainable livelihoods, and basic services that allow families to live with dignity.

He added, “Addressing poverty requires more than programs written on paper; it demands summits such as this, which foster collaboration, innovation, and strong accountability to ensure inclusive development. Programs like the Coffee Roadmap represent concrete steps toward this goal.”

Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño, CESO III, Vice Chairperson of the RDC-X and Regional Director of NEDA-X, discussed the economic and poverty situation in the province and presented the Provincial Development Plans of the Bukidnon Provincial Government.

To ensure that poverty does not persist, thematic breakout sessions were conducted to deepen the implementation of targeted poverty reduction initiatives. These focused on: Livelihood and Economic Inclusion; Social Protection and Basic Services; Human Capital Development and Local Governance; and Infrastructure and Connectivity for Poverty Reduction.

The sessions aimed to translate summit discussions into actionable programs to effectively address poverty in Bukidnon. (melbmadera)