Reconstruction needs represent the level of resources required to repair, rebuild, and retrofit the physical assets destroyed by the disaster event.
Macroeconomic Outlook At the community level, places prone to natural calamities are considered economically high-risk areas, given the losses to production, commerce, and other livelihood opportunities when a disaster strikes. The occurrence of natural hazards and disasters does not only diminish gains from development but also hampers the provision of programs and services that could have improved the living conditions of individuals and communities.
Poverty In the first semester of 2021, poverty incidence among families was pegged at 19.2 percent, equivalent to more than 374,000 poor families in the region. The Province of Negros Occidental had the highest poverty incidence among families (22.3%) followed by Antique (21.9%) and Guimaras (19.0%). In terms of the magnitude of poor families, Negros Occidental still had the highest with more than 174,000; followed by Iloilo (more than 111,000); and Antique (32,000). These top three poor provinces in 2021 were also the hardest-hit province by of Typhoon Odette (as shown in the table and map that follows). Table 2. Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Families, by Province, 2018 and 2021 (1st Semester), Western Visayas Poverty Incidence among Families (%) 2018
Magnitude of Poor Families (‘000)
2021
2018
2021
Philippines
16.2
18.0
4,029.4
4,739.8
Region 6
15.9
19.2
302.9
374.4
Aklan
14.7
18.3
21.7
28.3
Antique
18.3
21.9
27
32
Capiz
5.8
9.5
11.3
19.7
Guimaras
12.6
19.0
5.6
8.9
Iloilo
15.9
18.3
91.8
111.4
Negros Occidental
18.5
22.3
145.4
174.2
Source: PSA-VI
Poverty incidence in disaster-affected areas is expected to slightly increase in the immediate aftermath of the typhoon as the regional economies typically contract and food prices spike from the emergency relief to the early recovery phase. Western Visayas, a predominantly agricultural region, is one of the biggest contributors to the agricultural output of the country. In 2020, it was the top agricultural crop producer
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Western Visayas Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan for Typhoon Odette
