Almost half of Filipino families consider themselves poor while those who believe they are not poor has declined in areas outside Mega Manila, the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed.
The face-to-face survey conducted from November 21 to 25 showed that 48 percent of families rated themselves as poor, 36 percent as borderline poor, and only 16 percent as “not poor.”
The Self-Rated Poverty (SRP) data in December 2019 showed that only 54 percent felt poor, 23 percent each for borderline poor and not poor.
Malacañang on Tuesday said it was saddened by the survey results but explained that it is an impact of the lockdowns and community quarantines amid the pandemic.
“Ang Christmas gift na lang na maibibigay natin sa lahat ay ang pag-asa na matatapos na nga itong pandemyang ito dahil nandiyan na ang bakuna. Ginagawa natin ang lahat para maibigay ang bakuna sa mga Pilipino kahit ano pang halaga (The Christmas gift we can only give is the hope that this pandemic will end because the vaccine is here. We are doing everything to vaccinate Filipinos no matter the cost),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque stated. – PTV News
