End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
Imagine beginning each morning not by asking, “What am I going to learn in school today?” but instead asking, “Will there be enough food today? Will we have money for medicine? Can I still go to school tomorrow?” while sitting on an unfinished concrete floor that has never felt soft, never felt safe.
The first thought is not about school, dreams, or play. It is about survival. How far must one walk just to begin living?
This is the face of poverty. It may begin with a simple question, but for many Filipino families, the answer depends on the opportunities and access available to them. Poverty is not just about money. It does not only take away food; it can also take away education, health, hope, and the chance to rise. For many, education becomes a privilege rather than a right.
In the Philippines, poverty is not just a seasonal economic issue. It is the daily reality of many families, especially in vulnerable communities, where every peso matters and every peso must be stretched. For some, surviving each day is already a gift. Poverty is not simply the absence of money; it is the loss of choices, safety, dignity, and the freedom to dream.
But here is a truth we cannot ignore: in 2026, around 826 million people worldwide, roughly 1 in every 10 people are estimated to be living in extreme poverty. More than half of the people living in multidimensional poverty are children, or around 584 million children globally. In the Philippines, the latest full-year official data show that 17.54 million Filipinos, or 15.5% of the population, lived below the national poverty threshold in 2023. That is nearly 1 in every 6 Filipinos. Behind every number is a person, a family, and a future that deserves opportunity. Poverty is not only the absence of money; it is the loss of choices, security, and opportunity.
At Colegio de Kidapawan, Inc., we are reminded that education must not only open minds, but also open doors. We envision improving the quality of life by providing quality education; not only within the campus, but also through action, compassion, and service that extend beyond it. Because poverty is not simply a condition people endure; it is a challenge that society must confront together.
What we can do today?
Eradicating poverty is one of the world’s greatest challenge and it begins in our daily choices.
• Support local businesses, farmers, and community livelihoods.
• Donate food, school supplies, clothing, or your time.
• Share scholarships, job opportunities, and skills training.
• Speak up for fair wages, quality education, and accessible health care.
• Join or lead campus and community outreach programs.
• Challenge stigma and never treat poverty as normal.
To fight poverty means supporting fair opportunities, reducing inequality, strengthening communities, and advocating for policies that protect the most vulnerable. It means choosing compassion over indifference and justice over silence.
No one should be left behind—not in the world, not in our communities, and not in our future.
𝑻𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒃𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔.
Sources: United Nations, The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2026; unstats.unSDG
Philippine Statistics Authority, 2023 Full-Year Official Poverty Statistics. PhilPovertyStat