The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) has received a presidential citation for its contributions to the administration's efforts against poverty, particularly the role of the basic sectors in influencing the government's pro-poor programs and policies.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo awarded the citation to NAPC at awarding rites held in Malacañang last June 2, 2010. Undersecretary Catherine Mae C. Santos accepted the award for the agency.

The agency is credited for strengthening the poverty-reduction programs at the grassroots level, and for providing an arena for consultation between the government and civil society regarding the issues and advocacies of each sector.

NAPC Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban said NAPC is supportive of the efforts of the basic sector councils to seek stronger, more meaningful representation in national and local governance.

"We firmly believe that the problems of marginalized groups are best solved by those who belong to them," the NAPC chief said.

President Arroyo recently appointed the Sectoral Representatives to the NAPC basic sector councils, comprising of the poorest and most vulnerable quarters of society.

Panganiban said NAPC oversaw the implementation of AO 187 despite the many difficulties that attended the global financial crisis.

"The agency saw to the election of the sectoral representatives, strengthened the influence of marginalized sectors on local government policies, and developed more fruitful and productive ties with the grassroots poor," he added.