The beautiful Philippines has been making steady progress in enhancing the quality of life factor in the country. The latest numbers underscore that the national poverty incidence has dropped, lifting many Filipinos from the brink of poverty.
But there are a number of cities in the Philippines that still need a push to get back up. Urban centres like Metro Manila and Cebu are seeing a lot of economic progress. But there are some municipalities that continue to face concerning situations.
Tke a look at top 10 poorest cities in Philippines in 2025. These areas are often characterized by geographic isolation, poor infrastructure and lack of access to basic supplies. To broaden your search, take a look at this list of best neighbourhoods to start a family in Metro Manila.
Top 10 poorest cities in Philippines in 2025
| City in Philippines | Poverty Incidence (%) |
| Tabuan-Lasa | 73.4 |
| Tapul | 70.7 |
| Parang | 69.7 |
| Omar | 68.5 |
| Panglima Estino | 68.3 |
| Hadji Muhtamad | 67.6 |
| Hadji Panglima Tahil | 64.1 |
| Maimbung | 63.5 |
| Talipao | 62.3 |
| Sumisip | 61.9 |
1. Tabuan-Lasa
Tabuan-Lasa has the highest recorded poverty rate in the Philippines. This island municipality in Basilan is a bit isolated, leading to challenging transportation and trade scenes.
2. Tapul
Tapul is another island municipality in the Philippines. Because of its remoteness and limited access to markets, the place is one of the poorest cities in the Philippines.
3. Parang
Located in Central Sulu, Parang is facing high poverty rates despite its close proximity to Jolo. This situation is majorly blamed on conflict history, lack of job opportunities and authorities.
4. Omar
Omar is considered a young municipality in the Philippines. It lacks established infrastructure and stable industries. Most families are relying on fishing and coconut farming.
5. Panglima Estino
Considered one of the poorest cities in Philippines, Panglima Estino faces similar challenges to other municipalities in Sulu. You can find a number of residents being dependent on fishing.
6. Hadji Muhtamad
Hadji Muhtamad is a small island municipality in Basilan. Economic opportunities are minimal here and transportation is quite difficult, leading to the struggling economy.
7. Hadji Panglima Tahil
Hadji Panglima Tahil is an isolated city in Sulu. Residents rely mainly on fishing. But the lack of cold storage facilities and poor transportation add more challenges for local communities.
8. Maimbung
Historically significant as the first capital of Sulu, Maimbung is one of the poorest municipalities in the Philippines in 2025. But you can find a lot of fertile fishing grounds.
9. Talipao
By land area, Talipao is one of the largest municipalities in Sulu. But it remains one of the poorest in the country. The lack of modern tools and stable markets in responsible.
10. Sumisip
Basilan’s largest municipality, Sumisip has abundant natural resources. But recurring instability is responsible for this beautiful place getting added to this list of poorest cities in Philippines.
In a nutshell, the poorest cities in the Philippines in 2025 are largely concentrated in Basilan and Sulu. These areas highlight the scarcity of economic progress. Despite national gains, these communities remain trapped in cycles of economic hardship., healthcare, and economic prospects as well as local communities.
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