Around 7.6 million Filipinos families or a record-high of 30.7 percent have experienced involuntary hunger “due to lack of food to eat” in the last three months, an SWS survey revealed.
Of the 30.7 percent, 22 percent or an estimated 5.5 million families have experienced moderate hunger. Moderate hunger figures settled at 15.8 percent last July and at 18.9 percent in December 2009.
Meanwhile, 8.7 percent or approximately 2.2 million families have suffered from severe hunger. This has risen from the 5.1 percent last July and has exceeded the previous peak of 6 percent in March 2001.
The survey showed that the hunger incidence this September increased by 9.8 points from 20.9 percent in July, and by 21.9 points from 8.8 percent last December 2019. This is the highest rate since March 2012 at 23.8 percent.
It added that total hunger incidence in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao has increased to a record-high of 28.2 percent, 40.7 percent, and 37.5 percent, respectively. As for the remaining parts of Luzon, overall hunger incidence rose to 23.8% or the “highest since the 24.3% in September 2014.”
The survey was conducted from September 17 to 20 through mobile phone and computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) of 1,249 adult Filipinos around the country.
Government to expand economy opening – Palace
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday said they are saddened by the recent survey on hunger incidence in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Nakakalungkot itong balitang ito at kaya tayo nagbubukas ng ekonomiya para mapababa ang mga numero, lalong-lalo na ang mga nagugutom (This news is saddening, that is why we are opening the economy to lower the number, especially on hunger),” Roque stated.
Roque made the appeal that work is possible despite the COVID-19 pandemic. More jobs will be opened under the Php 4.5 trillion 2021 budget of the government. – PTV News Online
