‘Highest’ hunger incidence in PH saddens Palace

MALACAÑANG ON  Wednesday expressed sadness over a survey result which showed that hunger incidence in the Philippines has reached its highest level.

This, after polling firm Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed in its July 3 to 6 survey that around 20.9 percent or an estimated 5.2 million families experienced involuntary hunger in the past three months.

“We are saddened by the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing hunger among Filipino families at 20.9 percent),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press statement.

The latest hunger rate is the highest since the 22 percent or an estimated 4.8 million families reported in September 2014, SWS noted.

SWS found that 15.8 percent or an estimated 3.9 million families experienced “moderate” hunger, while 5.1 percent or an estimated 1.3 million families had to endure “severe” hunger.

Moderate and severe hunger levels were at its highest since September 2014’s 17.6 percent or estimated 3.8 million and June 2013’s 5.4 percent or estimated 1.2 million families, respectively.

Hunger incidence rose in the Visayas (27.2 percent or estimated 1.3 million families from May 2020’s 14.6 percent or estimated 685,000 families) and in Balance Luzon (17.8 percent or estimated 2 million families from May 2020’s 12.6 percent or estimated 1.4 million families).

Hunger rate was steady in Mindanao (24.2 percent or estimated 1.4 million families). It fell in Metro Manila (16.3 percent or estimated 546,000 families from 20.8 percent or estimated 693,000 families).

Roque acknowledged that hunger incidence was high in areas in the country that are still under general community quarantine (GCQ) or modified GCQ due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“Many lost their jobs during the pandemic. The resumption of public transportation was calibrated and phased. The economy had only started to open. These factors contributed to the respondents saying the experienced hunger,” he said.

Roque said the poll results prove that there is a need to reopen the country’s economy.

“Having said this, the SWS survey underscores the importance of opening the economy and providing livelihood opportunities to our people,” he said.

In a bid to save the Philippine economy and people’s jobs, Roque appealed to the public to observe the minimum public health standards by wearing masks, washing hands and keeping a safe distance.

Around 1,555 adult Filipinos were interviewed by SWS, using sampling error margins of ±2 percentage points for national percentages, and ±6 percentage points for Metro Manila, and ±5 percentage points each for Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)