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Last updated on February 10th, 2026 at 04:37 pm
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 city in Philippines in 2026. 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.
Data Note: Poverty incidence figures mentioned in this article are based on publicly available estimates from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), along with regional development and poverty assessment reports for the 2025–2026 period.
The ranking is primarily based on poverty incidence (%), supported by local economic conditions, access to employment opportunities, infrastructure availability, and geographic challenges faced by each area.
| 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 |
Note: Several locations listed are officially classified as municipalities but are commonly referred to as cities for broader understanding.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hadji Muhtamad is a small island municipality in Basilan. Economic opportunities are minimal here and transportation is quite difficult, leading to the struggling economy.
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.
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.
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.
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 2025, despite overall economic improvements in the Philippines, areas in Basilan and Sulu continue to face development challenges due to geographic isolation, limited job opportunities, infrastructure gaps, and restricted access to healthcare and education.
Tabuan-Lasa currently records the highest poverty incidence among the areas listed.
National poverty levels have improved in recent years, but progress remains uneven across different regions.
These areas face long-standing challenges such as isolation, limited infrastructure, and fewer employment opportunities.
Some improvement is possible through government development programs and infrastructure projects, but progress is often slow due to geographic and security challenges.
Based on recent data, parts of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), including Basilan and Sulu, continue to record higher poverty levels than other regions.
In a nutshell, the poorest cities in the Philippines in 2026 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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