An estimated 11.1 million Filipino families considered themselves poor in the first quarter of 2024, down by 3 percent from 11.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to the Tugon ng Masa survey results conducted by the OCTA Research.
The survey revealed that the 3% decrease, representing approximately 800,000 families, l represents a continuing downward trend in self-rated poverty observed since July 2023, where self-rated poverty was at 50%.
Speaker Martin Romualdez on Tuesday welcomed the notable decrease in self-rated poverty and hunger among Filipino families, which he attributed to the pro-poor initiatives of President Marcos.
Romualdez said the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) caravans, Cash and Rice Distribution (CARD) projects, and other continuing state-funded measures such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) contributed significantly in terms of improving the lives of Filipinos.
The House Speaker the recent findings indicated a decrease of three percent in both the number of families, who consider themselves poor and their self-rated hunger.
Records also said that self-rated poverty fell significantly in three major areas in the first quarter of 2024 when compared to the second quarter of 2023.
It fell from 40 to 29 percent in Metro Manila, 46 to 28 percent in Balance Luzon, and 57 to 47 percent in the Visayas.
The survey, conducted from March 11 to 14, with 1,200 respondents nationwide, found that 42 percent, or an estimated 11.1 million Filipino families, considered themselves poor in the first quarter of 2024.
This was a “slight” decrease from 45 percent, or an estimated 11.9 million families, in the fourth quarter of 2023.
In the same survey period, the OCTA found that 11 percent, or an estimated 2.9 million families, experienced involuntary hunger in the first quarter of 2024.
This was a 3 percent decrease from the fourth quarter of 2023 when 14 percent, or an estimated 3.7 million households, experienced involuntary hunger.
“The 3 percent increase, representing approximately 800,000 families, deviates from the upward trends observed in the fourth quarter of 2023,” the survey said.
Across major areas, self-rated hunger decreased in the Visayas, from 19 to 13 percent, and in Mindanao, from 18 to 12 percent.
Balance Luzon experienced a “modest” decrease in self-rated hunger, from 11 to 9 percent, while Metro Manila saw a slight increase, from 8 to 9 percent.
OCTA also noted that among those whose families experienced hunger in the last three months, 89 percent said they experienced hunger either “only once” or “a few times,” while only 10 percent experienced hunger “often” or “always.”
Across socioeconomic classes, 13 percent of Filipino families in Class D experienced hunger “often” or “always,” compared to 9 percent in Class E.
Latest numbers dropped from 45 percent in the 4th quarter of 2023 to 42 percent during the 1st quarter of 2024, and from 14 percent to 11 percent during the same period, respectively.
“These figures represent a decline of approximately 800,000 families in both categories, a clear indication that our economic measures are effectively reaching and improving the lives of our people,” Romualdez noted.
The House Speaker added that “this positive trajectory in reducing poverty and hunger underscores the impact of our targeted policies aimed at enhancing economic stability and providing necessary support to the most vulnerable sectors.”
Romualdez also highlighted the efforts of the House of Representatives, in collaboration with national government agencies, to complement the President’s programs such as the BPSF, CARD Program, the Start-up, Investment, Business Opportunity and Livelihood (SIBOL), and the Farmers Assistance for Recovery and Modernization (FARM).
He said BPSF, which just concluded its 15th installment in Benguet province, is realizing President Marcos’ desire to bring government services closer to the people, including food, financial, and livelihood assistance to all 82 provinces across the country.
Romualdez also disclosed the existence of the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) under the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) is included in the 2024 national budget and will benefit 12 million poor and low-income families—or a total of 48 million Filipinos—by receiving a one-time financial grant of P5,000.
Back to the OCTA Research survey, Romualdez noted that the median amount families consider necessary for monthly home expenses remains steady at P20,000, while the additional amount needed to rise above poverty has decreased from P7,000 to P5,000.
“These improvements in self-rated poverty and hunger are more than statistics—they represent real gains in the everyday lives of our kababayans. Each percentage point decrease reflects thousands of families who now have better access to necessities and a more hopeful outlook on their future,” Romualdez said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Over 11 million Filipinos still consider themselves poor—OCTA Research