Fewer People Here Are Feeling Hungry and Poor

The Philippines is observing a decrease in families that consider themselves poor and in those who said they have recently experienced involuntary hunger.

“I believe that the improvement in the poverty numbers reflects the trickle-down effect of economic expansion […]. Somehow, they benefitted from it, because growth means economic activities and addtional income and job opportunies for our people,” says speaker Martin Romualdez.

OCTA’s “Tugon ng Masa” survey consisted of face-to-face interviews of over 1,200 adults nationwide. It revealed that, for the first time in three quarters, there was a 4 per cent – or approximately 1 million families – decrease in self-rated poverty and a 5 per cent – or about 1.3 million families – decrease in self-rated hunger. Part of this success may be thanks to government programs ensuring the price of basic staples, such as rice, remain steady in the country.