SAN VICENTE, Palawan — This picturesque coastal town in northern Palawan has emerged as a model for poverty reduction, with local officials crediting effective governance under Mayor Amy Roa Alvarez.
According to 2021 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), San Vicente is among the municipalities in the Mimaropa region with a poverty incidence rate of 20 percent or lower. The figure places it in Level 5—the lowest poverty bracket classification in the region.
Officials say this milestone is the result of targeted, inclusive programs launched by Alvarez since assuming office. Among these initiatives is the municipality’s push for sustainable eco-tourism, which leverages San Vicente’s pristine beaches and natural attractions to spur livelihood opportunities while promoting environmental conservation.
In 2020, the municipality also earned the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Seal of Financial Housekeeping, a recognition of Alvarez’s commitment to fiscal transparency and good governance.
Alvarez’s administration has likewise thrown its support behind local cooperatives, encouraging economic participation among residents and helping small enterprises grow.
“These reforms demonstrate that effective leadership at the local level can translate to real improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens,” Alvarez said in an earlier interview.
San Vicente’s success story comes as the national government intensifies efforts to reduce poverty incidence, particularly in rural areas. Local stakeholders are hopeful the town’s development trajectory will continue to uplift more communities across the province.
