Fewer families experienced hunger in last 3 months

The number of Filipino families who said they have experienced involuntary hunger due to lack of anything to eat has decreased by two percent, equivalent to 400,000 families, based on the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey results.

The nationwide survey conducted last March 25 to 28 among 1,200 respondents found 11.9 percent, or about 2.7 million households, experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months.

This is lower by 2 percent from the 13.9 percent or an estimated 3.1 million families who experienced hunger in the December survey.

Malacañang welcomed the result of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey yesterday with Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella issuing a statement saying that the poverty alleviation efforts of the administration have been effective thus far.

“The latest findings affirm the posi- tive impact of the Duterte administration’s poverty alleviation efforts on the lowest rung of society,” Abella said.

The SWS survey questions are on the family’s experience of hunger directed to the household head. They were particularly asked, “Nitong nakaraang tatlong buwan, nangyari po ba kahit minsan na ang inyong pamilya ay nakaranas ng gutom at wala kayong makain? Oo o Hindi? (In the last three months, did it happen even once that your family experienced hunger and not have anything to eat? (Yes or No?)”

The overall hunger in Metro Manila rate decreased from 13 percent to 12 percent. It also declined in the rest of Luzon from 15 percent to 11.3 percent, and in the Visayas from 16.7 percent to 13.7 percent.

Meanwhile, it rose in Mindanao from 10 percent to 11.7 percent.

Those who experienced hunger were further asked, “Nangyari po ba ‘yan ng minsan lamang, mga ilang beses, madalas, o palagi? (Did it happen only once, a few times, often, or always?)”

About 9.7 percent or 2.2 million families said they experienced “moderate hunger” or lacked anything to eat “only once” or “a few times” in the last three months. This is lower than the 10.9 percent in the previous quarter.

Meanwhile, 2.2 percent or 510,000 families said they experienced “severe hunger” or had nothing to eat “often” or “always” in the last three months. This is lower than the previous three percent. (With a report from Argyll Geducos)