Manila, July 4 -- The Philippines' elevation to an upper-middle income country (UMIC) proves its ability to achieve national progress, the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) head of the House of Representatives said on Saturday.

The World Bank announced that the country graduated into a UMIC after reaching USD4,850 in gross national income (GNI) per capita, exceeding the USD4,636 threshold.

"Ito po ay isang milestone para sa atin. This more or less certifies na we are able to achieve national progress. [P]inapakita lang na over time, tumataas 'yung GNI per capita natin, meaning income produced here at saka abroad (This is a milestone for us. This more or less certifies that we are able to achieve national progr...